Former Liverpool player Danny Murphy has publicly suggested that the Reds should seriously consider West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen on the right wing this summer as one of the options to replace Mohamed Salah, who is set to leave on a free transfer. Murphy’s comments have pulled the “who takes the No. 11 shirt” debate out of the rumour mill and back into the perspective of a former teammate who played at Anfield and understands the club’s recruitment logic.
The front-line gap in a departure window
Sources have confirmed that Salah will end his Liverpool career via a free transfer, and the club is widely expected to sign at least one winger this summer to fill the tactical void left by his exit. Murphy was blunt: although Salah’s form this season has fallen noticeably short of last season’s peak, finding a replacement of the same calibre and influence remains extremely difficult — which is the harsh reality Liverpool must face in the transfer market.
In-house data shows Salah made 27 Premier League appearances in the 2025 season, totalling 2,148 minutes, with seven goals and seven assists, 45 shots (19 on target), 49 key passes and an average rating of around 6.93. The numbers portray a player who still carries a heavy attacking load in the system but whose efficiency and dominance are no longer at their peak — making the departure decision look more like a cyclical change than an emotional split.
A prolific winger at a relegated club
Bowen registered 20 direct goal involvements (goals plus assists) in the Premier League this season but still could not keep West Ham from going down. Murphy believes this is precisely the window where Liverpool can make a “low-risk punt”: his ability has been validated over a Premier League season, and with the club dropping into the Championship, summer sale willingness and room for negotiation may both widen. Multiple reports have listed Liverpool among the potential suitors with “occasional contact” regarding Bowen.
Murphy summarised Bowen’s profile on talkSPORT: he scores, he assists, he is durable physically and is “good enough” to play for Liverpool. He also conceded that Bowen does not fully fit Liverpool’s usual recruitment profile on age, potential resale profit and other dimensions — signing him would be more of a pragmatic tactical tweak than the standard route of chasing young talent.
Transfer fee and the No. 11 shirt in perspective
On the cost front, Murphy outlined a range: if West Ham are eager to sell and trim the wage bill, the fee could sit around £20 million; even if it rises, it would mostly fall between £20 million and £30 million. Compared with the £50 million to £80 million bids often seen for top right-wing targets, he called the deal "low-risk"—the downside is manageable, and success would bring an immediate first-team upgrade.
On the shirt number, Murphy was equally measured: he would not push Salah’s long-standing No. 11 onto Bowen; if the player wanted it, fine, but he would not make an issue of it. For the coaching staff and dressing room, this reads more as respect for a departing club legend—and a way to ease pressure on newcomers, so a new signing does not have to carry the full weight of being "Salah's successor" from day one.
A "guided transition" from the dugout
From a long-term squad-building view, Murphy's core point was not "Bowen equals Salah," but whether Liverpool can manage a smooth handover on the wing at a financial and psychological cost they can bear. West Ham have been relegated; Bowen's Premier League numbers, playing style and physical workload are all plain to see. If Liverpool push on in talks, the key markers will be: his first-touch decisions in a high-press, possession-based system, whether his off-the-ball runs and defensive tracking meet the bar, and whether he can forge a new chemistry with the existing attack group after Salah leaves.
The summer window is still young, and whether Liverpool eventually bid for Bowen will depend on their overall forward-line plan and the competitive landscape. For supporters, milestones worth watching include: West Ham's pricing after relegation, whether Liverpool pursue a more expensive right-sided target in parallel, and whether a new arrival takes the No. 11—Murphy has already answered: ability comes before the number, and the transition should seek stability first, then the dream of replicating legend.
The contrast between West Ham United at the London Stadium and Liverpool at Anfield also captures both sides of this potential deal: a selling club desperate to rebuild after relegation, and a Premier League heavyweight that must quickly shore up its title credentials. Murphy speaking as an insider will not decide the club’s transfer policy, but he has laid out a clear, workable fallback for right-back recruitment this summer.
