Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak all made the move to Liverpool this summer
Mohamed Salah before Liverpool's game against Arsenal
Mohamed Salah before Liverpool's game against Arsenal(Image: (Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Didi Hamann believes the additions of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak now mean Mohamed Salah's goals will be shared around the Liverpool team. The Reds led the way with British-record-breaking deals during the summer transfer window.
Liverpool spent over £400m, as they completed the three biggest transfers of the summer. Wirtz joined for £116m, Ekitike could cost up to £79m and Isak made the move to Merseyside on deadline day for £125m.
The trio join a squad that scored 86 times in the Premier League as the Reds were crowned champions.
Salah scored 29 of those goals, but Hamann believes: “I think the most important thing is to look at the team goals.
“How many did they score last season? 86 goals in the Premier League. If the team scores more goals than last season, then everyone's a winner.
“It's often better anyway to share the goals around. In Hugo Ekitike, and now in Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, they will share the goals around.
“Even if Mohamed Salah gets double figures from open play, which he's well capable of, I think he still has a tremendous impact for the team.”
But while Wirtz, Ekitike and Isak will be playing in the Premier League, one man who won’t be is Ederson.
The 31-year-old completed a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce earlier this month, leaving the Etihad Stadium having helped the club to 18 major honours during his time at the club.
He won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and a Champions League, as well as winning the Golden Glove award three times.
But Hamann, speaking to CoinPoker, has claimed: “Ederson made the odd howler in the last few years.
“I was never his biggest fan, I always felt that Alisson was a better goalkeeper, although Ederson is obviously very talented.
“Gianluigi Donnarumma's footwork will be a question, as it's not his strength, and we know Pep Guardiola wants to play from the back.
“However, he's a fantastic goalkeeper and was by far the best keeper last season in the Champions League. His performance away at Anfield and one or two others was sensational.
Ryan Gravenberch in the new Liverpool third kit
Ryan Gravenberch in the new Liverpool third kit
"So, in a way, it does make sense. On the other hand, it'll be interesting to see how much they play out from the back, as Donnarumma is clearly not as good with his feet as Ederson.
“There has been talk about Ederson going to Saudi Arabia for the last couple of years. So, I think everybody's happy Ederson hasn't got his move, and I think City have got a brilliant replacement.”
Liverpool return to Premier League action this weekend when they take on Burnley at Turf Moor before they welcome Atletico Madrid to Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday.
“Barcelona and Bayern Munich had a chance to win the Champions League last season without beating an English team, which has only happened twice in the last 20 years,” the German said.
“This year, Bayern Munich got two English teams in the group stages. In the knockout stages, a team will likely have to beat two English teams.
“You've got Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and Newcastle. Can Barcelona beat two of them over two legs? I don't think so. They might beat one, but I doubt it. They won't beat two.
“Barcelona are a good team, but I don't buy all the hype. I'd put PSG and Liverpool first, then there's a bit of a gap.
“After that, I'd probably group Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Maybe Bayern Munich, but I'm not even sure they have a chance to win it this year.”