Michael Owen Warns Liverpool About Salah's Departure and Transfer Strategy

Michael Owen has warned Liverpool they are “leaving a big void” unfilled after Mohamed Salah’s exit – and insists the club missed a glaring chance to move for Jarrod Bowen.

The former Reds striker, speaking as the transfer window ticks on with Anfield unusually quiet, admitted he is taken aback by how restrained his old club have been in the market.

Owen questions Liverpool’s plan after Salah

Liverpool have already lost Salah and seen new forward Hugo Ekitike ruled out long term through injury. One new attacker, Victor Munoz, has arrived from Osasuna in a £34.5million deal to bolster the left side, and talks continue with Paris Saint-Germain over Bradley Barcola, with teenage Champions League winner Ibrahim Mbaye also on the radar.

For Owen, that is not enough business, nor the right profile of certainty, for a team that has just waved goodbye to one of the most prolific forwards in its history.

“Absolutely, yes,” he said when asked if he was surprised by Liverpool’s subdued window. “Losing Mo Salah and his goals and assists must be a concern right now. Liverpool need to look to add more depth in the forward areas.”

The 44-year-old believes the club should have acted decisively when West Ham United went down, and moved straight for Bowen before the England international committed his future to the London Stadium with a new deal.

“I would have gone more Jarrod Bowen as one player to come in as I believe he is very talented, Premier League-proven and could have fitted in really well and could have scored plenty of goals,” Owen said.

Instead, the recruitment team have pushed hard for Barcola, a France international with obvious upside but a steep price and no Premier League experience.

“Right now it seems Liverpool are putting all their time in looking to secure Barcola from PSG, although at a huge price tag it may mean that one of the attacking players may have to make way for him to join,” Owen warned.

The concern is clear: Liverpool are gambling on potential rather than banking goals they can almost guarantee.

“I expect Liverpool to sign another attacking player as Mo leaves a big void and Liverpool do need to strengthen,” he added.

Pressure on Isak and Wirtz to deliver

Inside the club, there is also hope that the £100million-plus invested in Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz starts to pay out at full value.

Isak’s first season was shredded by fitness problems, including four months out with a broken leg. Wirtz, a gifted attacking midfielder, struggled to adapt after his big move and never quite imposed himself as expected.

“He had a tough time last season,” Owen said of Isak. “That kind of injury does take a lot of time to recover from and sometimes you only recover to the player you were, not one that can push on even further.

“But if Isak can find the same form that he did for Newcastle, then he can definitely show his worth for Andoni Iraola.

“He is hugely talented as shown for Newcastle and did look good in the World Cup, so hopefully he can be a top striker next season and score plenty.

“With (Florian) Wirtz as well now having one season under his belt, we hope he can find good form.”

Liverpool’s hierarchy will feel the same. If Barcola or another forward does arrive, they will be joining a frontline that still has questions to answer rather than one already firing.

Local heart at risk as Jones future hangs

Away from the headline pursuit of forwards, a quieter subplot troubles Owen just as much: the future of Curtis Jones.

The midfielder is into the final year of his contract and continues to be linked with a move away. Inter have yet to meet Liverpool’s valuation, while Galatasaray are also circling.

For new head coach Andoni Iraola, losing Jones would mean more than just the departure of a squad player. It would strip the dressing room of its one senior Scouse presence.

Owen, who came through the Liverpool academy himself, feels that loss keenly.

“It’s always nice to have homegrown players playing for Liverpool. The fans feel it when you see local players come through the Academy and shine for the first team,” he told the ECHO.

Then he pointed to the emotional cost that comes when those bonds are broken.

“But look around at other clubs, Jack Grealish came through at Villa and left and got stick, the same with Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool when he left.

“So it’s difficult, but I do have to say, I was a local lad who came through the ranks and played for Liverpool and you could feel it was great.”

That is the tension now facing Liverpool: replacing Salah’s numbers, protecting the club’s identity, and backing big-money signings to finally catch fire – all under a new coach and a fanbase that knows exactly what a misstep in this window could cost.