Odds: 200/1placeholder image
Odds: 200/1 | Getty Images
Liverpool will be looking for the successor to Mo Salah and there are two names that keep doing the rounds.
Liverpool’s rebuild hasn’t gone quite as smoothly as Arne Slot would have planned as attentions turn to who else can be added to his Dutch revolution.
One of the worries in recent months has been the form of Salah and whether or not his incredible statistics on the way to the title was one last dance. It isn’t a surprise to see potential replacements being considered.
Should Liverpool target Antoine Semenyo or Michael Olise?
It is almost impossible to replace Salah on a like for like basis, but what Liverpool can do is secure the signature of one of Europe’s best wingers and two names seem to be reported more than the others. An early contender for player of the season has been linked in Antoine Semenyo because of his blistering start to the season for Bournemouth.
With six goals and three assists in 11 games, only Erling Haaland has been as lethal in the final third with a £75m fee being quoted as the fee expected to land the Ghanian but there is another name doing the rounds. Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise has 10 goals and nine assists in 22 games and has been mentioned as a big money target.
Both wingers are good ball carriers, are blessed with plenty of pace and can score goals, even the weaker of the two players would still be a quality addition to Liverpool’s forward line. There is a fundamental difference between the two players though. Olise, as shown by Data MB, is much more creative in terms of assists, expected assists, crosses and key passes. With forwards like Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, a creator, rather than a finisher is probably the more desirable option. Liverpool were reported over the weekend to be mulling over making Olise their record signing.
Radar image of Antoine Semenyo (red) and Michael Olise (blue) using season 2025/26 statistics.placeholder image
Radar image of Antoine Semenyo (red) and Michael Olise (blue) using season 2025/26 statistics. | Data MB.
Olise was involved in a 2-0 win for France against Ukraine back in September and his teammates and manager were keen to pile the praise on the former Selhurst Park player.
Defender Dayot Upamecano, who plays alongside him at Bayern Munich, said: "He's a magician. His technical level is very high. He can do everything. He can score, set up, and even defend."
Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann joined in the praise, as he said: "With every touch of the ball, he makes an attacking impact. He's a player who will do a lot of good for our team.”
Olise’s national team boss Didier Deschamps was equally as glowing, as he said: "Michael is brilliant. He's technically gifted, runs a lot, and moves cleverly. He has everything. He's doing very well for Bayern Munich and for us as well."
Semenyo has proven himself to be a great player but the data points to one man for Liverpool - Olise.
Antoine Semenyo addresses Liverpool move speculation
If Olise is the most desirable player at the top of the shopping list, Semenyo is the most likely with the winger speaking to Sky Sports about recent speculation.
"I don't think about it too much," Semenyo said. "I try to stay present as much as I can. You see the news all the time, I see it as well, I'm not oblivious, but I try to keep focused.
"I'm enjoying my football here. If I'm not scoring goals, all of that goes away. I try to stay present, do the best I can for the team, score goals and whatever happens in the future happens. When they [his former team-mates] all left [in the summer], there was a lot of interest and back and forth with the club. But I knew in my head that the manager's got something up his sleeve this year.
“How we finished off the season last year was so good and we could continue, especially with the players we've bought in as well. I wasn't too sure at the start but we've kicked on like a house on fire. I'm glad I committed to staying here because I'm enjoying every moment."
It might have been a surprise when Semenyo signed a contract extension, it wouldn’t if he was paraded at Anfield with a red and white scarf above his head.
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