Michael Owen has outlined why West Ham ace Jarrod Bowen is the perfect man to step into Mohamed Salah's shoes at Liverpool. However, Bowen appeared to pledge his allegiance to the Hammers after their relegation despite links to Liverpool and Manchester United.
The Reds will be looking for a new marquee attacker in the summer after saying their goodbyes to Salah on Sunday in his final outing for the club, a 1-1 draw with Brentford. That result saw Liverpool seal fifth place in the Premier League and secure a Champions League berth, with Salah laying on the assist for Curtis Jones' goal in his last appearance for the club.
Speculation is now set to intensify over who Liverpool might bring in to plug the gap left by Salah's imminent exit, with Bowen among those touted for a switch to Anfield. A Guardian report recently suggested that Liverpool, alongside Manchester United and Chelsea, were keen on snapping up Bowen should West Ham drop out of the Premier League.
The Hammers were indeed relegated from the top flight on Sunday, despite a commanding 3-0 victory over Leeds United on the final day of the season. Owen has shed light on why he could envisage Bowen departing West Ham in the wake of their relegation, and put forward the idea that a move to Liverpool as Salah's successor could suit everyone involved.
"Under normal circumstances, no. But he is such a West Ham lad, he's the captain, he's adored by the club, his family are all from the area," Owen said on Premier League Productions when asked if he thinks Bowen could remain at the London Stadium next season. "If there's any big player that is going to be relegated and stick with it then you can see it. However, Jarrod Bowen is incredible, you've got a short career, I mean he has to be playing in the Premier League."
He added: "If something really, really interesting [is offered], I've said for a long time, I don't make any apologies, Mo Salah has gone now from Liverpool, I think Bowen is the absolute perfect replacement for Mo Salah at Liverpool. If an opportunity came along for him like that, to play for Liverpool, then even the most ardent West Ham fan couldn't begrudge that. Instead of playing in the Championship, go to one of the best teams in the world and fill Mo Salah's boots, it's really exciting for him."
"However, if an opportunity doesn't come from one of the big boys like that, then maybe he'll fight his way back into the Premier League with West Ham."
Bowen shed some light on his future prospects following West Ham's relegation, indicating that he has no intention of departing the east London club. "Ultimately, this season we haven't been good enough and we've paid the price," Bowen told Sky Sports. "I'm under contract here. I've been here six-and-a-half years. I've had some really high moments and this is a low moment that will outweigh everything.
"There's going to be rumours, there's going to be talk. Ultimately, what I see is getting this club back in the Premier League because that is where it deserves to be. This is a really, really low moment, but we have to bounce back because there's no other way. This is a really difficult moment. You never know what the future holds. For me, I want to get this club back in the Premier League. Right now our vision is to do that."
