"Quality, left-footed and plays on the right" – Michail Antonio names Liverpool's perfect Mohamed Salah successor
West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has named Jarrod Bowen as the perfect replacement for Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who has been linked with a Saudi Pro League move.
The Reds, who are fourth in the 2023-24 Premier League table with 20 points from nine games, are said to be on the lookout for a right-sided winger for a while. They rejected a £150 million offer for Salah from Al-Ittihad earlier this summer and could still lose him next year.
Of late, Liverpool have been allegedly linked with a host of wingers, predominantly left-footed in nature. They are believed to have been monitoring the likes of Leroy Sane and Johan Bakayoko in the recent past.
However, Antonio is of the opinion that no one other than Bowen is more suited to filling the Egyptian's boots in the future. He recently said (h/t X/@AnfieldAgenda):
"He's quality, left-footed, plays on the right side like Salah so he probably is like the perfect replacement but it isn't going to be easy to get him out."
Bowen, 26, has established himself as a reliable performer out wide for West Ham since arriving from Hull City in a potential £25 million deal in the winter of 2020. He has helped his team lift one UEFA Europa Conference League trophy, making 168 overall appearances so far.
A five-cap England international, Bowen has opened the ongoing 2023-24 season on a bright note. He has scored six goals and contributed two assists in 10 games across all competitions for the Hammers.
Bowen, whose current deal is set to expire in June 2030, could prove to be a great addition for Liverpool. His goal-scoring instinct and relentless work-rate would help him settle in well in Jurgen Klopp's setup.
However, Bowen could struggle to replicate Salah's elite output level. While he has managed to register 31 goals and 21 assists in the past two seasons, the Egyptian player has recored 61 goals and 32 assists.
Pundit hails Liverpool's Mohamed Salah for his productive start to the ongoing season
Speaking after Liverpool's recent 2-0 win against Everton, ex-Reds midfielder Don Hutchison hailed Mohamed Salah for his brilliant start to the season. He said (h/t HITC):
"I think he has gone under the radar. This season especially... if you look at the goal involvements. Every single game, he is picking up goals and assists. He is devastating. The numbers are phenomenal."
Salah, 31, made the news headlines after scoring a brace in the Merseyside derby earlier this weekend. His two second half goals took his tally to seven league goals in nine matches for Liverpool this season.
A 2019-20 Premier League winner, the former Chelsea man has netted eight goals and provided four assists in 11 games across competitions.