Gerrard & Carragher Play Hardball: 'Bowen Won't Cut It as Salah's Successor!'

Liverpool fans, brace yourselves – the quest for Mo Salah's heir is turning into a right old saga. With the Egyptian maestro waving goodbye after nine trophy-laden years at Anfield, the Reds are scrambling for a right-winger who can terrorise defenders like their record-breaking No.11. But here's the kicker: club legends Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have thrown a massive spanner in the works over one hotly tipped name.

Doors Slamming Shut on Dream Targets

First off, the dream moves are fizzling out faster than a damp firework. As Graeme Bailey dished to TEAMtalk, Liverpool got a firm 'nein' from Bayern Munich on Michael Olise – the silky Frenchman who's been billed as the perfect Salah clone with his dribbling flair and end product.

Over in Paris, PSG have zipped up their transfer vault too, ruling out sales of Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. It's like every top club in Europe has slapped a 'do not disturb' sign on their wings. Desperate times call for creative thinking, eh?

Bowen Buzz Meets Legend Backlash

Enter Jarrod Bowen, West Ham's hammer-wielding star who's no stranger to Merseyside whispers. The 29-year-old England international has notched 84 goals and 58 assists in 272 games for the Hammers, versatile enough to slot in up top or as a second striker. Under contract till 2030, he's valued at a hefty €60m (£52m) – though Fraser Fletcher at TEAMtalk hinted Man Utd and Spurs might snag him cheaper if West Ham tumble into the Championship.

But hold your horses, lads. Gerrard, chatting on TNT Sports, gave Bowen a nod as a 'top player' but pulled no punches: he's not convinced the Hammer packs enough punch to step into Salah's colossal boots. Stevie G wants 'one-vs-one merchants' who can skin full-backs and stretch play – think explosive wide men for Arne Slot's side-to-side system.

Carragher, ever the straight-talker on Stick to Football, was even blunter: 'No chance.' He reckons Bowen was maybe on Klopp's radar once, but with Mo already embedded, that ship's sailed. And at 29, he's 'too old' for FSG's youth-focused, resale-savvy recruitment blueprint. Ouch – that's pub chat gold right there.

Eyes Elsewhere: Barca Raids and Klopp's Shadow

So, if not Bowen, who's next? Liverpool are eyeing a Barcelona left-back, but they'll have to fend off Man City, United, and Villa. Word is, FSG have a wishlist of seven wingers, aiming for a double swoop to bulk up the flanks.

Reliable sources whisper names like Yan Diomande, Francisco Conceicao, and that Olise chap again (fingers crossed Bayern soften). Oh, and don't sleep on the Jurgen Klopp factor – the German gaffer could pull strings in landing Salah's heir, given his pull across Europe.

It's a rebuild that'd make even Gerrard's slip look tame. Slot needs firepower to keep the title dream alive, but with legends like Stevie and Carra pouring cold water on Bowen, expect the rumour mill to churn on. Will FSG splash the cash on a wonderkid, or settle for proven Prem quality? Grab your pint – this summer's gonna be a belter.

(Original reporting inspired by Subhankar Mondal at TEAMtalk, with nods to Goal.com and SI Soccer.)