Liverpool should do whatever they can to lure Michael Olise to Anfield as Mohamed Salah's replacement this summer, according to former Reds winger Jermaine Pennant. Salah is leaving the club at the end of the season, leaving behind a massive void after scoring 257 goals in 440 appearances over nine seasons. The Egyptian star may have already played his last game after suffering a hamstring injury at the weekend.
Pressure on Recruitment Team
The pressure is on Liverpool's recruitment team to deliver after last summer's window failed to have the desired impact. Manager Arne Slot has admitted it is "probably impossible" to find a direct replacement for Salah, but RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande is among those being considered.
Olise's Stellar Season
Olise has returned a remarkable 20 goals and 29 assists in 47 appearances for Bayern Munich this season, including a stunning strike in the dramatic 5-4 Champions League semi-final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. He is under contract with Bayern until 2029, having joined from Crystal Palace in 2024 for a reported £51 million.
After watching Olise's goal, Pennant tweeted: "Liverpool go out and get Olise right now, at all costs. There is your replacement for Mo Salah. AT ALL COSTS. Any amount plus Gakpo." Cody Gakpo has managed just eight goals and six assists in 48 games this season and still has four years left on his contract.
Fan Reaction and Bayern's Stance
Pennant's suggestion did not go down well with many fans, who questioned why Olise would trade Bayern for Liverpool given that Bayern have just won the Bundesliga and are chasing a treble. Bayern chief executive Max Eberl made it clear the club has no intention of selling Olise, saying: "Absolutely. We're not having a second to think about anything."
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has also praised Olise, saying on TNT Sports: "The problem with him is he can go both ways, his right foot is just as strong as his left. If you leave him in one-versus-one situations, you are in major trouble."
