In a move that could see them land their Salah replacement, Liverpool are now reportedly “very very” interested in a deal to sign a Champions League star and now know that a big offer would force negotiations.
Wirtz reveals Slot conversation after slow start
On the topic of big-money signings, it’s not always that they get off to a rapid start as Liverpool are now finding out in the case of Florian Wirtz. The £116m midfielder is yet to show his best form for the Reds and felt the full effect of the quality that Arne Slot has to choose from when he was benched for Alexis Mac Allister in the Merseyside derby.
Since then, he has admitted that a conversation has been held with the Liverpool boss in an attempt to find his feet at Anfield. The German told reporters: “It could be that I’m trying to pass the ball faster. I recently talked to the coach about it, and he suggested why I might not be able to get into the situations I normally get into. That is, I’m making the game fast with a dribble or a pass.
“He said it could be because we press a lot, and I run a lot. For example, the running stats. I’m always at the top there because I try to push hard and do what the coach asks.
“I need a lot of strength and energy for that. When I have the ball, I might be lacking a little bit. That it will simply come step by step, as I play more games, get fitter, be able to do things more easily, and then, when I have the ball, be fit enough and recovered enough to push hard.”
That said, Liverpool will be well aware of the talent that they’ve got on their hands. In a new era, they’ve planned for the future and already have another impressive attacker in mind as a result.
Liverpool "very very" interested in Olise
As reported by BILD’s Christian Falk, Liverpool are “very very” interested in signing Michael Olise and FSG now know that a €100m (£87m) would be enough to force negotiations with Bayern Munich.
“Teams like Liverpool, and I heard also Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are watching him very, very closely. And because Bayern bought the player for €60m [£52.3m] from Crystal Palace, if an interested party pays a price over the €100m [£87.2m] mark – Bayern Munich have to think about it.
“But they want to keep him, and now they’re trying to give him a new contract so that they don’t lose him.” (Falk on Olise interest)
Given that Mohamed Salah is now 33 years old and into the first of two more years at Anfield after signing a new contract last season, Liverpool’s interest in Olise should come as no surprise.
The former Crystal Palace winger should be at the top of their list to replace Salah when the time comes, having watched on as he’s become the star of the show at Bayern – scoring four goals and assisting another four in eight games this season.
