Gerrard's Liverpool Wishlist: Diaz Return and Olise as Salah Replacement
Steven Gerrard has publicly suggested two major moves for Liverpool, calling for the return of Luis Diaz and the signing of Michael Olise as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool legend made these comments while analyzing Bayern Munich's Champions League victory over Real Madrid, highlighting his continued interest in the club's transfer strategy despite his role at Bayern.
Gerrard specifically praised Olise's versatility, noting his ability to use both feet effectively makes him a nightmare for defenders in one-on-one situations. He expressed strong desire for Liverpool to pursue the winger, though he acknowledged the challenge of convincing him to leave a successful Bayern Munich side. Additionally, Gerrard admitted missing Diaz at Liverpool, suggesting the Colombian's return would benefit the team.
The Case for Luis Diaz's Return
Liverpool sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich in summer 2025 for approximately £65.5 million, as part of a broader squad overhaul that saw over £400 million in spending. Despite this investment, Liverpool has struggled this season, currently sitting fifth in the Premier League. Performances from left-sided players like Cody Gakpo have been disappointing, and Mohamed Salah hasn't reached his usual standards, creating apparent gaps in the attack.
Gerrard believes Diaz could help address these issues, recalling his successful previous stint at Anfield. However, Jamie Carragher offered a counterpoint, arguing Liverpool made a sensible business decision selling Diaz at 28 for a significant profit after four seasons, avoiding a costly new contract as he entered his thirties. Carragher acknowledged Diaz's quality and that Liverpool miss him, but maintained the transfer represented good value given the circumstances.
Michael Olise as a Salah Successor
Gerrard's admiration for Michael Olise centers on the winger's technical attributes and current form:
- Two-footed ability: Olise can attack defenders effectively with both his right and left foot, eliminating the traditional weak side that fullbacks typically exploit.
- Creative output: He has demonstrated impressive assists and finishing with his supposedly weaker right foot.
- One-on-one dominance: Defenders face major trouble when isolated against him due to his unpredictability.
When directly asked if he'd take Olise at Liverpool, Gerrard responded emphatically: "All day long." He tempered this enthusiasm by noting Olise appears settled at Bayern Munich, a club challenging for major honors with what Gerrard considers one of their strongest recent squads. Olise is also poised for a prominent role in the upcoming World Cup, further complicating any potential move.
Key Takeaways
- Gerrard advocates for significant Liverpool transfers, specifically suggesting a double deal involving Diaz's return and Olise's acquisition.
- Liverpool's current attacking struggles might justify revisiting former players, with Diaz's departure and Salah's dip in form creating perceived weaknesses.
- Business perspectives differ—while Gerrard focuses on footballing needs, Carragher highlights the financial logic behind Diaz's sale.
- Olise represents a premium target valued over £100 million, with his two-footed skills making him particularly attractive but difficult to pry from Bayern.
- These suggestions remain speculative, with no indication Liverpool's management is actively pursuing either player currently.
Gerrard's comments reflect ongoing discussion about Liverpool's direction following substantial investment and mixed results. While his personal preferences are clear, practical obstacles exist for both proposed moves. The ideas nonetheless fuel transfer speculation as Liverpool evaluates how to regain consistency and challenge for top honors again.
— Editorial Team
