Today's Liverpool news sees two players linked with the club as the Reds prepare for a big summer of transfer activity
Liverpool will take on Chelsea on Saturday, with the club needing three points to edge closer to Champions League qualification. While talk has centred on the future of Arne Slot following a dismal campaign by the club's standards, it appears the Dutch coach has the backing of Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, to lead the club into the summer and beyond.
With such a decision comes an array of transfer plans. Should Liverpool cement a top-five finish this season, then their transfer kitty will be significantly bolstered.
It's not going to be a simple summer either. A replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is leaving the club in the summer after nine years, will most likely be top of the club's to-do list.
Today's news sees one player tipped to succeed the iconic Egyptian at Anfield, while club captain Virgil van Dijk could be sounded out to help Liverpool land another target.
Mo Salah successor tipped
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen, 29, could be the player to replace Salah this summer. Speaking on talkSPORT, Owen was asked if he would like to see Bowen, who has scored 85 goals for the Irons, at Liverpool, should West Ham face the drop this season.
He said: “How do you know? I have said that to a couple of my mates the other day. I said, if I had one player. Now, obviously, Jarrod Bowen’s a legend of a player, West Ham adore the man, and rightly so. But, if West Ham went down, he would fit for me.
“I think he’s absolutely brilliant. I was lucky enough to do a striking master class for a TV show we did last season with him, and I couldn’t believe it. Honestly, left foot, right foot, bang, bang, corners, pace. I mean, a real top finisher.
“I think he’s a brilliant player. I would be taking him to the World Cup, and, as I say, you know, I don’t want to upset West Ham fans, but if they went down, then he would be my idea of somebody to replace Salah.”
Bowen joined West Ham in January 2020 and is under contract at the London Stadium until the summer of 2030. Ex-Liverpool forward John Aldridge has also echoed Owen's comments.
Speaking to Boyle Sports, Aldridge said: “I've looked at Jarrod Bowen for some years now, and I really like the way he plays football, and what he offers West Ham. He would fit the bill whenever Mo was ready to go, and even now, you still get a couple of good years at least out of him.”
Van Dijk can help Liverpool secure target
Liverpool could use Van Dijk to help them land long-term transfer target Denzel Dumfries. The Reds were thought to be interested in the Dutch wing-back in the January transfer window, but a transfer failed to materialise.
According to The Telegraph, Liverpool have been made aware of a release clause in Dumfries’s contract at Inter Milan.
The Netherlands International is said to be a close friend of Van Dijk, meaning the Reds could task their influential captain to help convince Dumfries to make a switch to Anfield.
Dumfries could slot in on Liverpool's right-hand side, an area they have sustained injuries in this season, with both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong struggling for fitness. He could also fill in on the wing in a more attacking role in the absence of Salah.
The versatile 30-year-old has dealt with his own injury issues this season, however, having sustained an ankle injury in November and only returning in February. Yet Inter are said to be seeking replacements, potentially paving the way for the Dutch international's exit.