‎Liverpool Told to Target Jarrod Bowen if Mohamed Salah Departs Amid Uncertain Anfield Future

‎Liverpool have been encouraged to weigh up a transfer move for West Ham United skipper Jarrod Bowen should they opt to part ways with Mohamed Salah in the near future. While the Egyptian forward remains contracted at Anfield until 2027, speculation suggests he could be sold this summer to ensure the club receives a transfer fee.

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‎Liverpool have been advised to pursue West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen as doubts grow over Mohamed Salah’s future. Andy Townsend questions Salah’s form and backs Bowen over Rodrygo as a potential replacement.

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‎Salah claimed the PFA Players' Player of the Year award for the 2024-25 campaign as Liverpool stormed to the Premier League title. However, their attempt to defend that crown has proven difficult. After 26 matches, the Reds sit sixth in the standings, trailing leaders Arsenal by 15 points.

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‎Last season, Salah secured the Golden Boot with 29 league goals. This term, though, he has managed just four. Questions over his long-term role at Liverpool surfaced in November after he revealed a breakdown in his relationship with head coach Arne Slot. Although that issue appears to have been resolved, talk of a potential summer exit continues.

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‎Former Chelsea player turned television pundit Andy Townsend believes Salah’s dip in performance is concerning but insists wider squad issues must also be acknowledged.

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‎Speaking to BOYLE Sports, Townsend highlighted Liverpool’s improved second-half display against Manchester City, noting their intensity and pressing at The Kop. He argued that when Liverpool rediscover that consistency, they remain capable of competing at a high level, but their inconsistency has been damaging.

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‎Townsend also referenced Salah’s absence before Christmas for the Africa Cup of Nations and suggested he has yet to rediscover his sharpness since returning. In his view, Salah has not shown the brilliance fans associate with him for some time. Whether he can regain that edge under Slot remains uncertain.

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‎Attention was also drawn to captain Virgil van Dijk, who turns 35 in July. Townsend pointed out that the defender is unlikely to improve physically at this stage of his career, highlighting broader concerns within the squad.

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‎Regarding Florian Wirtz, Townsend observed flashes of quality but said the midfielder has not yet produced a sustained run of world-class performances. Similarly, Alexis Mac Allister has not matched last season’s influence, struggling to dictate matches in midfield as he once did.

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‎Townsend clarified that the issues extend beyond Salah and Van Dijk, although he praised Dominik Szoboszlai for his displays and expressed admiration for Hugo Ekitike, backing the latter to become a key figure at Anfield.

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‎With uncertainty surrounding Salah’s future, Liverpool have been linked to potential replacements, including Rodrygo of Real Madrid. However, Townsend questioned the appeal of that move, stating he has never regarded Rodrygo as a Galactico-level star.

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‎Instead, he believes Bowen would be a stronger fit. The England international could face relegation with West Ham United this season, potentially making him attainable. Townsend argued Bowen would eagerly join Liverpool and provide a significant attacking threat from the right flank alongside players such as Cody Gakpo and Ekitike, offering pace, work rate, and goals.

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‎Townsend concluded that he struggles to see Salah remaining beyond the summer. Whether due to age or past tensions at Anfield, he suggested the forward may no longer consistently deliver his previous goal-scoring numbers. In his view, Liverpool must prepare to replace him.

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‎If Salah does leave, reports indicate he is likely to depart European football. Discussions with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad have reportedly taken place, although a potential switch to Major League Soccer has not been dismissed.