Liverpool
Liverpool told potential Mo Salah replacement is already at ‘his level’ in lower standard
Liverpool have been told that one possible Mohamed Salah replacement has already found his level.
Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes Jarrod Bowen is already playing at his peak at West Ham amid links with a transfer to Liverpool. Bowen has been suggested as a possible replacement for Mohamed Salah in the next few years, with the Reds icon linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia.
Bowen signed a fresh seven-year contract last week, denting Liverpool’s hopes of signing the winger. A recall to the England squad this month was a fine reward for his excellent form this season.
The 26-year-old is rumoured to be of interest to Liverpool. A left-footed right winger with an eye for goal, there are obvious comparisons with Salah.
However, Johnson does not think Bowen is anywhere near Salah’s level and says he has already reached his potential with the Hammers. The ex-defender does not believe he can improve much more.
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“I don’t know if he possesses what’s needed to kick onto the next level. He’s evidently been playing well for West Ham and scoring goals, but to suggest that he can replace Mo Salah at Liverpool is a completely different league,” Johnson told Betfred.
“I personally believe he’s currently at his level with West Ham United. I believe that Liverpool need to be looking at the top, top players to replace Mo Salah and I don’t think that Jarrod would be an adequate replacement for him if he was to leave Liverpool next summer.”
Bowen has scored five goals in eight Premier League appearances this season. He admits his form dipped after missing out on the 2022 World Cup squad last summer, but has since used the heartbreak as fuel to mount a return to his best performances.
He has now earned a recall to the England squad after 18 months away from Gareth Southgate’s squad.
The Hammers star said this week: “I was disappointed to miss out but that’s what happened. I had to deal with it and all I could do was keep playing football to a level that I know that I can play at and everything will take care of itself.
“I think obviously the way I started this season I’m probably playing the best football that I’ve played, I think, in my career. I’ve had those experiences of Europe. It’s a bit different to when I came (before).
“I’m a dad now, so I’m in a different kind of place of, you know, you just feel a bit more mature and a bit more mature head on your shoulders. I feel in a really good place and, like I said, to be back here I’m really grateful for it.”
