Forget Jarrod Bowen; Steven Gerrard wants Liverpool to sign his West Ham teammate instead | OneFootball

Liverpool Preparing for Life After Salah as Steven Gerrard Weighs In

Change comes quickly at elite clubs, and at Liverpool the conversation has already shifted. With Mohamed Salah’s departure confirmed for the end of the 2025/26 season, attention has turned to succession planning. 

Reports suggest Liverpool will prioritise wide forwards this summer, with several names already circulating. Among them, Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United has emerged as a credible option, though not everyone is convinced he represents a like for like step up.

Steven Gerrard Offers Insight on Liverpool Targets

When Steven Gerrard speaks, Liverpool supporters tend to listen. The former captain offered a thoughtful take on potential replacements, acknowledging Bowen’s quality while raising a valid concern about ceiling.

Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: ”I really like Bowen and think he is a top player but I am not sure he is Salah’s level to replace him.”

Photo: IMAGO

It is a fair assessment. Bowen brings consistency, work rate, and Premier League experience, yet replacing a player of Salah’s output demands more than reliability. Liverpool are not searching for a steady contributor, they are looking for a match winner who can tilt games on his own.

Crysencio Summerville Emerges as Alternative Option

Interestingly, Gerrard’s praise was more emphatic when discussing another West Ham United attacker, Crysencio Summerville. The Dutch winger has impressed despite a turbulent season in East London.

Gerrard said: ”I like Summerville. He is brilliant in one v ones, he looks hungry. In a team that has struggled he has been a shining light and got better as the season has gone on.”

That description aligns with Liverpool’s recruitment profile. Summerville offers directness, acceleration, and the ability to isolate defenders, qualities that remain central to how Slot wants his front line to function. He may not yet carry Salah’s numbers, but his trajectory suggests room for growth within a stronger side.

Comparing Output and Context at West Ham United

Numbers tell part of the story, context fills in the rest. Salah, even in a quieter campaign by his standards, has delivered 10 goals and nine assists in 34 appearances. Bowen has matched the goal tally with 10 and contributed seven assists in the same number of games. Summerville, operating largely from the left, has recorded seven goals and four assists in 27 matches.

On paper, Bowen appears the safer choice. In reality, Liverpool’s model often leans towards potential rather than finished products. Summerville’s performances in a struggling West Ham United side hint at a player capable of scaling up when surrounded by higher quality teammates.

Liverpool’s decision will not hinge solely on numbers. It will reflect identity, evolution, and how Slot envisions the next phase of his attack. Salah leaves behind more than goals, he leaves a blueprint. Replacing that influence requires both courage and clarity.