Liverpool news as Steven Gerrard makes transfer request and Reds star speaks

Steven Gerrard names Michael Olise as ideal Mohamed Salah replacement while Dominik Szoboszlai opens up on talks with departing Liverpool star ahead of Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain

Steven Gerrard has discussed Liverpool and life after Mohamed Salah(Image: Stick to Football)

Liverpool faces a pivotal first-leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday.

The Reds suffered another crushing blow on Saturday when they were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals. That loss now leaves the Champions League as the club's sole remaining chance of silverware this season, with Arne Slot's side also faltering in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

It's been a turbulent period both on and off the field recently, with the announcement that Mohamed Salah is departing the club in the summer. Today's Liverpool news sees Reds legend Steven Gerrard reveal his choice to replace Salah. Elsewhere, Dominik Szoboszlai has spoken about conversations he had with the winger before he made his decision to depart.

Gerrard names Salah's replacement

Reds hero Gerrard believes French star Michael Olise could be the man to step into Salah's shoes next season. Since departing Crystal Palace for Bayern Munich last summer, the 24-year-old has shone in the Bundesliga; however, the former Liverpool midfielder acknowledged it would be a difficult deal to secure.

"The concern if you're trying to Salah, like-for-like, there's very few out there," Gerrard told talkSPORT. "Olise would be one but I don't think he'd be available.

"From experience, being around Liverpool, the recruitment team will have different options, that doesn't necessarily mean like-for-like. When we had to replace [Sadio] Mane for example, we went for signed [Luis] Diaz who was slightly different, when [Luis] Suarez or [Fernando] Torres has left, they've had different type of options to replace the players.

Michael Olise has been linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

"Liverpool have a fantastic record of replacing top players so I've got every confidence from a recruitment point of view that they'll have different options. They'll have to replace his goal involvements which is extremely difficult because he's been incredible for Liverpool for many years."

Bayern's leadership remains unfazed regarding Olise's situation. Club chief Max Eberl told SportBILD: "It doesn't matter which club is interested in him: anyone who plays for FC Bayern knows what they have here. Michael has a contract with us until 2029, with no release clause; we're calm."

Szoboszlai opens up on talks

Szoboszlai has discussed his conversations with Salah before the Egyptian confirmed his departure from Anfield. Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO, the Hungary international reflected on his bond with the club's star man.

"To be honest, maybe you know, I am very close with Mo," he said. "Yeah, I don't have to talk too much about it because everyone knows.

"We had a lot of talks about what is going to happen in the future and it is his own decision. He is a grown man, it's his own decision. He knows what to do. I think he is professional enough to act in a way that he has to because to leave with one of the trophies we are going for would be amazing."

The midfielder also reflected on Salah's standing as a Premier League legend and his global reputation, stating: "The numbers speak for themselves, the stuff he has done on the pitch speaks for itself and he is one of the best that has ever played.

"That is not only for Liverpool, I think the world as well and I am happy I was lucky to play with him and I really happy that I can say he is one of my friends. He is every day in training being a good example for all of us. For the new guys, the old guys, everyone. He shows us about being a better player and a better human, so he has had a big impact on his career.

"Mo is one of my best friends in the squad, he is with me all the time but Milos [Kerkez] is with me as well all the time, so we are the three. Milos is my little brother and Mo is my big brother."