Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has highlighted West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah at Anfield
Michael Owen has named who he’d like to see replace Mohamed Salah at Liverpool (Image: James Gill – Danehouse, Getty Images)
Michael Owen has identified West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen as the ideal player to succeed Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.
Salah will leave the Reds after nine glittering years at the end of this month after announcing in March that this season would be his last the club, who are now assessing the market ahead of signing at least one forward player in the summer transfer window.
Yan Diomande, of RB Leipzig, is someone who is being tracked while Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao has also been named in connection with a move to Anfield.
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But Owen, who was top scorer in the Liverpool side that won the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup 25 years ago under Gerard Houllier, feels West Ham wideman Bowen is the ideal solution.
“I have said that to a couple of my mates the other day. I said, if I had one player,” Owen told talkSPORT. “Now, obviously, Jarrod Bowen’s a legend of a player, West Ham, you know, 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 like a striking masterclass 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.”
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Owen’s praise for Brown echoes the warm words previously shared by Jurgen Klopp, who when he was in charge of the Reds, was never shy about voicing his appreciation for Bowen.
Before a Carabao Cup encounter between the clubs in December 2023, Klopp labelled the England international as “probably my favourite player besides my players.”
The comments came after the former Liverpool boss had sung Bowen’s praises back in November 2021, when he said: “I like Bowen a lot. He made his way up from Hull (City) and took not too long to get there, to show exactly what kind of player he can be in the Premier League as well.”
Bowen is West Ham’s captain and is under contract until 2030. That and his age may put Liverpool off from making a move for the 29-year-old.
However, he could be available at a cheaper price if the Hammers, who are currently third from bottom in the Premier League, go down.
And Owen added: “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.”
Liverpool return to action when they host Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
