Life after Salah - why Isak and Wirtz must step up for Liverpool
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Salah netted 10 of those goals on the opening matchday - a Premier League record.With the Egypt superstar out of the picture, the top scorer in Liverpool's current squad is Cody Gakpo with just 50 Reds goals.When Liverpool signed Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike for a combined £320m last summer, the future was very much in mind.It is impossible for one player to replicate Salah's achievements, with his goalscoring and creative burden needing to be shared.Ekitike, 24, had an impressive start to life at Anfield before rupturing his Achilles tendon in April, and the hope is he will be fit for the second half of this season.And both Isak, 26, and Wirtz, 23, will be expected to lead the way in this new Liverpool era after disappointing debut campaigns.When it was confirmed in March Salah would leave this summer, Liverpool were expected to make another statement signing - but with the season about to begin they are yet to do so."We need a squad that is able to compete on all four fronts, that's the only way to try to be successful," captain Virgil van Dijk said this week. He has been trialled down the right flank, where Salah played, in pre-season.Iraola wants his wingers to be able to play on both sides and - judging by the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna - Liverpool want pacy options that are direct and have the ability to break down low blocks.They had a £50m bid rejected for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh this week while a move has been explored for PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye.
He's proven it in the Premier League before. For a number of reasons, including the injury, it didn't work out last year but he's an exciting player and he will score goals and be a handful," said Fowler."As a striker, the price tag wouldn't bother me because the focus should be entirely on performing.
"He has everything in the locker, is exciting when he drives with the ball and he makes things happen. Not only can he beat players - he can bring others into the game and he can score goals which is massive."Without Salah - and as the wait for Barcola continues - where better to step up to the plate for Isak than at the place he once called home.