Michael Olise signs, Mohamed Salah leaves, Alexander Isak fit — Liverpool's dream front 3

Mohamed Salah has announced he is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, and the Reds are already planning their dream replacements — what might the front three look like with Michael Olise and Anthony Gordon?

Michael Olise is viewed as an ideal replacement for Mohamed Salah — but can Liverpool afford him?(Image: Getty Images)

Ladies and gentlemen, Mohamed Salah is on his way out.

The man affectionately known by Liverpool fans as 'The Egyptian King' is edging closer to his Anfield swansong. His impact has been so profound, so era-defining, that it's hard to imagine the stage without him.

It wasn't entirely unexpected with subpar performances and whispers of backstage issues clouding Salah's season. But on Tuesday, the bombshell news finally dropped: Salah is preparing to depart. "Unfortunately, the day has come... I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season," Salah said. "Leaving is never easy... you gave me the best time of my life... thank you for everything."

While tributes to Salah will undoubtedly dominate Anfield in the upcoming weeks, attention will inevitably begin to shift toward an intriguing question: who, if anyone, can fill the Egyptian's enormous boots? Here, Liverpool.com delves into what Liverpool's dream front three might look like next season without Salah.

Dream Salah replacement

Liverpool has been contemplating life after Salah, with uncertainty surrounding the forward in his later years at Merseyside. Long-term targets such as Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen and Nico Williams remain within reach, but none seem like natural successors.

Arguably, there's only one player whose arrival would feel worthy of Salah's legacy, influence and relentless goal-scoring prowess — and that's Michael Olise. The Bayern Munich forward is currently in the form of his life, impressively scoring 16 goals and providing a staggering 27 assists this season.

Mohamed Salah is leaving Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Like Salah, Olise is a left-footed right winger who thrives when cutting in from the wing and is most deadly when drifting into that same half-space the Egyptian has dominated at Anfield. In terms of style, the fit seems almost perfect. However, in practical terms, it's far from simple.

Merely enticing Olise away from Munich would be a significant challenge, and convincing Bayern to part with one of its treasured assets would likely require a record-breaking fee.

With Liverpool still feeling the effects of hefty investments in Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz not fully paying off in the Premier League, there might be understandable hesitation about taking such a massive risk for a third time in quick succession.

That said, Olise has a proven track record in the Premier League, with three solid seasons at Crystal Palace before his 2024 move to Bayern, and may ultimately be worth the gamble.

Dream front three

With Olise positioned on the right wing, Liverpool could boast one of the most formidable attacking trios in the world. The French winger, who has established a powerful partnership with Harry Kane at the Allianz Arena, would play alongside Alexander Isak, who'd take up the central striker role.

Isak has had a challenging start to his Liverpool career, scoring just three goals in 16 appearances before a broken leg cut his season short. However, upon his return, the Reds will be hoping for a swift resurgence — a return to the lethal, prolific striker he was at Newcastle — with Olise's creativity and service potentially providing the catalyst.

On the left wing, Anthony Gordon would complete the trio — the lifelong Liverpool fan who nearly joined the club in 2024. Relations with Newcastle might have soured following the Isak transfer saga, but Gordon's own desire to return to Merseyside could still be key in any potential deal.

The England star would provide Arne Slot's team with two crucial elements: a direct, pacey threat down the left and a player with an emotional connection to the club — someone who knows exactly what it means to don the jersey.

With a plethora of forwards already in the team, Gordon's arrival could potentially signal the end for Cody Gakpo and might even risk stunting the development of Rio Ngumoha. However, it would also offer the Reds something they've lacked since Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were phased out: a truly balanced, multi-faceted attacking line — pace, flair and sharpness on both flanks, with a central figure capable of finishing opportunities.

And in the era after Salah, that might be the closest thing to replacing the irreplaceable.