Steven Gerrard Identifies Michael Olise as Ideal Mohamed Salah Successor
Liverpool is facing a monumental recruitment challenge as legendary forward Mohamed Salah prepares to finish his nine-year tenure at Anfield this summer. With the 33-year-aged Egyptian confirming his departure on a free transfer, the search for a right-wing successor has intensified. Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has weighed in on the situation, identifying Bayern Munich star Michael Olise as the perfect “like-for-like” replacement.
Gerrard’s Endorsement of Michael Olise
Speaking to talkSPORT Breakfast and TNT Sports, Gerrard emphasized the difficulty of replacing a player of Salah’s stature. He labeled the 24-year-old Frenchman as one of the few players globally capable of replicating Salah’s offensive output.
Olise has enjoyed a sensational 2025-26 campaign with Bayern Munich, recording 16 goals and 29 assists across 41 appearances in all competitions. Gerrard expressed his admiration for the winger, stating he would love to see him at Liverpool “all day long,” though he acknowledged the practical difficulties of such a move. Given Olise’s importance to the Bavarian giants’ long-term project and his current form, Gerrard noted that the player seems settled and unlikely to leave Munich.
The Desire for a Luis Díaz Return
Beyond the search for a direct Salah replacement, Gerrard also voiced his desire to see former Reds winger Luis Díaz return to Merseyside. Díaz left Liverpool last summer to join Bayern Munich in a deal worth $88.1 million (£65.5 million) and has since experienced an electrifying debut season. The Colombian has tallied 23 goals and 15 assists in 40 appearances, marking career-best numbers.
Gerrard’s sentiment was highlighted following Díaz’s performance in the Champions League quarterfinals, where the winger scored the opening goal in Bayern’s 2-1 victory over Real Madrid. Despite the admiration from Gerrard and Liverpool supporters, Díaz has stated he has no regrets over his move, noting that joining Bayern was the “right choice.”
Key Takeaways: Liverpool’s Right-Wing Dilemma
- The Void: Mohamed Salah will leave Anfield on a free transfer this summer after nine seasons.
- The Target: Steven Gerrard views Michael Olise as the ideal “like-for-like” successor due to his elite production at Bayern Munich.
- The Nostalgia: Gerrard admitted he “wouldn’t mind” having Luis Díaz back at the club following his success in Germany.
- The Challenge: Both Olise and Díaz are integral parts of a strong Bayern Munich side currently leading the Bundesliga.
Looking Ahead
While Steven Gerrard believes Olise is the dream candidate, he remains confident in Liverpool’s recruitment team. He noted that the club has a proven track record of evolving its frontline after losing key figures and may look for options that aren’t necessarily a direct “like-for-like” replacement for Salah.