Liverpool face a pivotal first-leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday night. The Reds suffered another painful setback on Saturday as they were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
That loss now leaves the Champions League as the club's sole opportunity for silverware this campaign, with Arne Slot's team also faltering in the top-four battle in the Premier League.
It's been a turbulent period both on and off the field recently, with the confirmation that Mohamed Salah is departing the club in the summer, while supporters' demonstrations against increasing ticket prices are also scheduled in the very near future.
Today's Liverpool news sees Reds legend Steven Gerrard disclose his pick to replace Salah. Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai has spoken about conversations he had with the winger before he reached his decision to depart.
Reds hero Gerrard reckons French star Michael Olise could be the player to step into Salah's shoes next season. Since moving from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich last summer, the 24-year-old has shone in the Bundesliga; however, the former Liverpool midfielder acknowledged it would be a difficult deal to secure.
"The concern if you're trying to Salah, like-for-like, there's very few out there," Gerrard told talkSPORT. "Olise would be one but I don't think he'd be available.
"From experience, being around Liverpool, the recruitment team will have different options, that doesn't necessarily mean like-for-like. When we had to replace [Sadio] Mane for example, we went for signed [Luis] Diaz who was slightly different, when [Luis] Suarez or [Fernando] Torres has left, they've had different type of options to replace the players.
Liverpool have reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals where they face Paris Saint-Germain on April 8. Fans can watch the game on Prime Video's TNT Sports channel.
"Liverpool have a fantastic record of replacing top players so I've got every confidence from a recruitment point of view that they'll have different options. They'll have to replace his goal involvements which is extremely difficult because he's been incredible for Liverpool for many years."
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich's hierarchy have indicated they are unconcerned over the future of Olise. Speaking to SportBILD, club chief Max Eberl said: "It doesn't matter which club is interested in him: anyone who plays for FC Bayern knows what they have here. Michael has a contract with us until 2029, with no release clause; we're calm."
Liverpool midfielder Szoboszlai has disclosed details of his conversations with Salah, prior to the Egyptian confirming his decision to depart the club. Speaking to the ECHO, the Hungarian international shed light on his bond with the club's talismanic figure, explaining how he spoke with him about his decision but insisting he had no influence on it.
"To be honest, maybe you know, I am very close with Mo," he said. "Yeah, I don't have to talk too much about it because everyone knows.
"We had a lot of talks about what is going to happen in the future and it is his own decision. He is a grown man, it's his own decision. He knows what to do. I think he is professional enough to act in a way that he has to because to leave with one of the trophies we are going for would be amazing."
The midfielder also reflected on Salah's standing as a Premier League great and his worldwide recognition, adding: "The numbers speak for themselves, the stuff he has done on the pitch speaks for itself and he is one of the best that has ever played.
"That is not only for Liverpool, I think the world as well and I am happy I was lucky to play with him and I really happy that I can say he is one of my friends.
"He is every day in training being a good example for all of us. For the new guys, the old guys, everyone. He shows us about being a better player and a better human, so he has had a big impact on his career.
"Mo is one of my best friends in the squad, he is with me all the time but Milos [Kerkez] is with me as well all the time, so we are the three. Milos is my little brother and Mo is my big brother."
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