Is Michael Olise the perfect Salah replacement for Liverpool?
Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise carried on from where he left off last season. His match-winning performance in the Champions League opening game against Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt was an absolute joy to watch. Since moving to the Bundesliga Champions ahead of the 2024/25 season, Olise has established himself as one of the best wingers in the world.
Due to his stellar performances for Bayern Munich, he was included in the French National squad for the 2026 World Cup and helped his national team reach the semi-finals. Since joining Bayern from English Club Crystal Palace, Olise’s goal contributions have skyrocketed along with his transfer value. The Frenchman has definitely grabbed eyeballs throughout Europe since his move to the Bundesliga giants. Real Madrid have already inquired about him this summer with Manchester City and Liverpool also interested in bringing him back to the Premier League.
As for Liverpool’s interest, the club’s talismanic winger Mohamed Salah left the club after the 2025/26 season and the Reds made several bids for a few Premier a League right wingers but couldn’t agree a deal with any of them. As a result, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is currently using stop-gap options like Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munõz on the right-wing but that’s a temporary solution until they can secure the services of an elite left-footed right winger. Already having brought in his compatriot Bradley Barcola this season and having two top strikers in Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké, could this be the long-term replacement Liverpool needs for Salah?
We have all seen how Salah became one of the most prolific forwards in the Premier League over the past decade. His last season i.e., the 2025/26 season was underwhelming as per his incredible high standards but until then, Salah had been one of the standout players in the Premier League. He had a stellar 2024/25 campaign where he swept up all individual awards in the league while helping Liverpool to their 20th League title. He produced mind boggling numbers that season, scoring 29 goals and bagging 18 assists in 38 league games. His goal contributions in all competitions were an incredible 34 goals and 23 assists in 52 games that season.
If we now take a look at Olise’s stats since joining Bayern Munich, in the 2024/25 season, Olise made a grand debut with 20 goals and 23 assists in 55 games but the first season was just a preview of what was to come. He further raised his level in the 2025/26 season with 22 goals and 31 assists in 52 games, helping Bayern secure a domestic double and also reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. Slowly and surely, he has become a part of one of the most lethal attacks in Europe alongside Harry Kane and Luis Diaz. There is no other right winger in world football who has produced these kinds of numbers in the past few seasons and from a goal contribution and impact point of view, he can definitely be a Salah successor. Having said that, we may need to look at the whole picture which may involve other factors as well.
(P.S. All the stats have been taken from transfermarkt.com)
Olise’s performances in the Premier League
Olise’s numbers prior to the Bayern move were decent but not exceptional although there could be an argument there that he played for Crystal Palace which wasn’t a strong side. Prior to moving to the German club, he produced 10 goals and six assists in 19 games for Palace. Unfortunately, he couldn’t play the entire season as he suffered from a recurring hamstring injury that kept him out for a long duration. Olise was already viewed as a player with high potential even at Selhurst Park but the Bayern move catapulted him to elite levels.
He definitely knows about the physical demands of the Premier League and is used to playing 50+ games a season with Bayern also competing in domestic competition and the Champions League.
Could Liverpool’s style of play under Iraola suit him?
Liverpool has a new head-coach this season who likes to play an attacking style of football similar to Bayern Munich. Iraola likes his players to press relentlessly and also provide work-rate and support in defence. Olise can definitely provide that kind of service along with the massive goal contributions.
Moreover, if we look at how Salah operated, he played wide, ran behind opposition defenders, cut inside and scored or provided assists to the other forwards. Olise is quick, has a wicked left-foot, can trick defenders with feints and dribbles and also unleash a curling shot in the top corner – typically how Mo Salah used to play for Liverpool. Of course, both players are different in the sense that Olise has more trickery up his sleeve in terms of dribbling past defenders while Salah is a more elite finisher. Olise’s strength lies in providing assists, sometimes also unlocking low blocks with a disguised pass. His creative output will be particularly helpful for Liverpool with two top-quality strikers in Isak and Ekitiké. He could also be a menace on the counter with another pacy winger in Barcola on the other side.
Could Liverpool afford another expensive forward?
Liverpool have already spent huge money on Hugo Ekitiké (€95 million including add-ons), Alexander Isak (€145 million including add-ons) and Bradley Barcola (€125 million including add-ons). Having already spent expansively on the front line, we are not sure if Liverpool can afford another €145+ mil worth player and he would demand high wages as well. Mo Salah came to Liverpool on a steal deal of €42 million from AS Roma in Italy but that was about a decade ago and the transfer market is highly inflated now. Olise’s current contract at Bayern ends in June 2029 so Bayern will still have two years on the deal if he doesn’t agree to an extension and they are ready to sell him next season. Moreover, considering the ridiculously inflated transfer market, Bayern Munich will be looking to ask for a fee in the region of €145 mil for one of their most prized assets. Having spent more than €350 million on the forward line already, this could be the only hurdle that could stop Liverpool from going for the talented Frenchman apart from interest from other quarters.
Conclusion
Mohamed Salah departed Liverpool arguably as the best-ever right winger in the Premier League, breaking several records and creating new ones every season. Looking at all the top right wingers in Europe, there’s only Olise who can produce that kind of output on a consistent basis. While we do have the likes of Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer and Bryan Mbeumo who have had one or two good seasons as well but they haven’t consistently provided the kind of numbers that Salah did for Liverpool. It’s not just about the numbers either, Salah also had the ability to inspire the young players in the team with his discipline and work ethic and is undoubtedly a modern day great. While we don’t know if Olise possesses those qualities already, that is something that can be developed as a player gets more experience and Olise still happens to be very young.
There’s no doubt in our minds that Michael Olise could be the perfect Mo Salah replacement for Liverpool and transform this Liverpool attack into one of the most feared front lines in Europe. However, as we mentioned earlier, the transfer fee, the player’s preference and interest from other big clubs could prove to be a hindrance. Things could really get interesting if Olise refuses to sign an extension and prefers a move to a Premier League team next summer. Only time will tell where Michael Olise ends up if he decides to leave Bayern but for now, he looks tailor-made to take up that right-wing position vacated by Liverpool’s Egyptian King.
