As speculation continues to persist over the futures of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at Anfield, Liverpool may soon be in the market for a new attacking option.
Salah is about to enter the final 12 months of his deal at the club and there is no sign of any progress on a new contract, although he did confirm ahead of the Champions League final that he would remain at Liverpool next season.
Mane has continued to send cryptic hints regarding his future and the ECHO understands he wants to leave the club, with Bayern Munich favourites for his signature.
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Currently on international duty with Senegal he added further question marks to his future when speaking on Friday ahead of his nation’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin. Mane said: “Isn't it between 60 to 70% of Senegalese want me to leave Liverpool? I will do what they want. We will see soon! The future will tell us.”
Jurgen Klopp’s side have been linked with numerous attackers over recent months, as is the case with the often chaotic summer transfer window - but there is one man who would be a great addition. This is particularly if the Reds are searching for a right-sided forward in Salah’s mould.
Jarrod Bowen has excelled this season for West Ham and made his England debut in last night’s defeat to Hungary. He was one of the few bright sparks in a drab performance from Gareth Southgate’s team, demonstrating his energy and goal threat on multiple occasions.
Wearing the number 10 shirt, Bowen played on the right of England’s front three and along with Mason Mount, supported skipper Harry Kane. The Three Lions lined up in a 3-4-3 formation with Trent Alexander-Arnold making a rare England start, wearing the iconic number seven shirt and playing at right-wing-back.
The two starters linked up relatively well and seemed to complement each other's game. Could be a partnership that we see at Anfield in the future?
Gareth Southgate clearly believes the Bowen-Alexander-Arnold relationship has potential. Speaking ahead of the game when discussing his selection, he said: “What I’ve said to all the players is that we try to put them in structures in the areas of the pitch where they do the best things for the club and we want him [Bowen] to make them runs from outside to in to get in behind their defence.
"It’s helpful he [Bowen] can play wider which means Trent can play inside which he does for his club so we’re always trying to balance those things off. They’ve got to do what they’ve got to do every single week.”
Bowen scored 18 goals and added 13 assists in 51 appearances in all competitions during the season. The former Hull City and Hereford man contributed 12 of each in 36 Premier League games as the Hammers secured European qualification.
Alexander-Arnold enjoyed another stellar campaign with 19 assists and two goals in 47 appearances as the Reds narrowly missed out on a quadruple. Like Bowen, 12 of these assists came in the Premier League and the duo provide plenty of creativity.
Southgate’s prediction of how they would combine was demonstrated during the game before Alexander-Arnold was replaced after 62 minutes by Chelsea’s Reece James. Speaking at half-time, Michael Owen commented on their first half combination.
He said: “He’s [Bowen] played quite close to Harry Kane, he’s tucked in and Trent Alexander-Arnold has gone outside, he gets in the box and he not only makes space for Trent but gets on the end of crosses. He’s not just coming short, he’s made runs in behind. He’s had chances, nothing clear-cut but he has had a bright start to his England career.”
Bowen also has the ability to play as a central striker, scoring six times in 10 appearances while Michail Antonio was injured for David Moyes’s team. As the Hammers’ talisman, he will not come cheaply if the Reds were to act on their interest and move for him, especially as West Ham have ambitions to become a force in Europe after their memorable run to the Europa League semi-finals.
However, if either Salah or Mane were to leave this summer, with Bowen’s quality, tactical flexibility and playing style that is favourable to Alexander-Arnold, Klopp could do a lot worse than make a move for England's most recent debutant.
