Michael Owen has urged Liverpool to make a 'no risk' move for West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen, describing the England international as 'just crying out' to join the Reds. The former Liverpool striker believes Bowen is the ideal candidate to replace Mohamed Salah on the right side of attack, with the Egyptian having left Anfield after nine trophy-laden seasons.
Owen backs Bowen to solve Liverpool's right-wing void
Speaking to the ECHO via casino.org, Owen stressed Liverpool's need for a right-sided attacker, especially with Hugo Ekitike sidelined until 2027 due to an Achilles injury. 'Definitely on the right side,' Owen said when asked where Liverpool need to strengthen. 'There's no question that we need to replace Salah on the right hand side, no question at all.'
Owen dismissed the need for another central striker, citing Alexander Isak's importance. 'I think Alexander Isak's an important player for Liverpool this season with Mo Salah's goals out of the equation and Hugo Ekitike being injured,' he said. 'If Ekitike's not going to be out forever, if you go and spend a fortune and get another centre-forward, you've got an embarrassment of riches already.'
Bowen as a loan option?
Owen floated the idea of a loan deal for Bowen, who could help Liverpool while West Ham, relegated to the Championship, earn promotion. 'Jarrod Bowen's just crying out. I mean, there's no risk. He's brilliant. He'll score plenty of goals, he's played in the Premier League,' Owen said. 'I certainly don't want to upset West Ham fans, but surely someone of his quality can't be playing in the Championship for a year. Even if they loaned him for a year, what about that? That'd be interesting, wouldn't it? West Ham get back up and then he can go back, and that gives Liverpool time to find someone else.'
Owen added: 'It might be a stupid thing to say, but Liverpool are desperate, they need somebody like him and I'd go and get him.'
Isak's burden and squad depth
With Salah's 30-plus goals per season gone and Ekitiche injured, much of the scoring responsibility falls on Isak, signed for £125m from Newcastle last summer. Owen is confident the Swede can handle the pressure. 'Regardless of if there's another signing he's a very important player full stop,' he said. 'And he's even more important with, obviously, the Salah and Ekitike situations.'
Owen, Liverpool's ninth highest goalscorer of all time, also noted the club's options on the left, mentioning Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo, but stressed the right side remains a priority.
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