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Liverpool’s ability to future plan and sign long-term, effective additions in the transfer market is the envy of most sides in the Premier League.
This summer alone shows that, with Jeremie Frimpong’s acquisition confirmed prior to the window even opening. It meant that before Trent Alexander-Arnold officially joined Real Madrid, Liverpool’s squad already contained two right-backs aged 22 and 24.
Fellow summer signings Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike are 21, 22, and 23, respectively. The Reds have even secured long-term replacements for Alisson and Virgil van Dijk. That was certainly the idea behind adding Giorgi Mamardashvili and Giovanni Leoni in a remarkable summer window.
The latter’s arrival is essentially the second significant center-back purchase since Van Dijk signed in January 2018, which underlines the club’s efficient track record in the market.
That said, there is still one outstanding issue: Mohamed Salah’s successor.
The Egyptian may look age-resistant and show no signs of slowing down at 33, but, inevitably, his levels will dip in the years to come. Given Salah’s contract expires at the end of next season, it’s likely a long-term replacement will be sought in either of the next two summers.
The name most strongly linked in recent days is Michael Olise. The winger has taken his game to new heights since leaving Crystal Palace last year and has registered nearly a goal or assist per game after 59 appearances for Bayern Munich.
Already this season, Olise has managed four goals in as many games for the German champions, and he netted France’s opener after 10 minutes in the recent win over Ukraine. He was excellent in that game, earning an 8/10 rating from L’Equipe’s usually harsh scorers.
A left-footer who will turn 24 next summer, is capable of also playing through the middle and is deemed home-grown, Olise is unquestionably a worthy candidate to replace one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players.
However, there’s a hitch. According to TBR Football, Bayern hopes to tie the ex-Reading man down to a long-term, lucrative deal.
With Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Barcelona also linked, any pursuit of Olise is unlikely to be straightforward.
That Liverpool’s future-proofing means it can focus on just making one key addition next summer is a bonus, while the Reds would also need to ensure they are still among Europe’s big-hitters when it comes to winning trophies.
After a summer dominated by Liverpool’s pursuit of an elite-level forward, Olise could well be the man to create headlines and attention over the coming transfer windows.
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