While last year was all about the midfield for Liverpool, this time around they look set to focus on the other two areas of the pitch.
There’s a relatively strong argument that the Reds are still not finished with their midfield reupholstering. It remains to be seen whether that’s a view Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes subscribe to.
What is clear though, is that the incoming transfer team have acknowledged that Liverpool could do with a new centre-back.
Edwards and Hughes have also reportedly identified the fact that Arne Slot will need an extra forward bringing in this summer.
The latter is obviously more exciting. And with the transfer window now fast approaching, links to the likes of Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon have emerged. But while any interest in Gordon has since been dismissed, Liverpool have now been told the ideal man to add to their attack.
Liverpool urged to sign Jarrod Bowen
If Liverpool do bring in a forward this summer, it’ll be interesting to see the profile they go for. It had long been expected that they’d be needing to replace Mohamed Salah, for example.
In that scenario, Liverpool would surely have to find an elite – or potentially elite – left-footer in the mould of the Egyptian.
However, it has since been reported that Salah is instead more likely to stay than he is to leave. With rumours instead surrounding Luis Diaz’s future, the Reds might need to look at someone for the opposite wing.
Despite that though, Liverpool legend John Aldridge has told the Liverpool ECHO that Reds fans should still be wary of Salah exiting. And if he does, Aldridge claims that West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen should be brought in.
“Do we need a new striker? I presume, and it’s only me presuming, that the club will have to let Mohamed Salah go because of financial reasons,” says the former striker. “And if they do, I’d just go and get Jarrod Bowen” Aldridge adds. “I’ve said it before, Bowen, if you look at the players out there. If you can get him that is, with all due respect to West Ham.
“We have to see if he’s available, and everyone is available at the right price. The likes of Bowen, even Ollie Watkins, they are the types of players forward-wise if Mo goes that we have to be looking at.
I don’t think we could get Watkins because Villa are pretty much in the Champions League now. They’re going to keep their players, but they’re two players who would fit the bill for me.”
Is Jarrod Bowen still an option for Liverpool
Two or three years ago, it had seemed quite likely that Bowen might one day play for Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp is a huge fan of the former Hull City man.
Klopp even went as far as saying that Bowen is his ‘favourite player’ outside of those in his own squad as recently as December 2023.
You can see why, as well. The 27-year-old has had another top season, hitting a personal best 16 goals in the Premier League and breaking the 20-goal barrier across all competitions.
Bowen has also made a habit out of scoring against Liverpool. He found the net in each of the three games against the Reds this season.
Despite all of that though, we’d be amazed if Bowen ends up at Anfield. At 27, he’s now out of the age-range Edwards likes to sign players in and with Klopp leaving, his biggest fan is gone. There are more suitable options out there.