The short version
- Liverpool will start the 2026-27 season without Mohamed Salah, marking the first time since 2015 the squad lacks Salah, Sadio Mane, or Roberto Firmino.
- New signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are expected to lead the attack after mixed debut seasons, with Hugo Ekitike sidelined by injury until potentially mid-season.
- The club is actively pursuing Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola to bolster the forward line, having recently failed to secure Yan Diomande.
Liverpool enters the 2026-27 Premier League season facing a structural challenge unprecedented in its recent history. For the first time since 2015, the squad will begin a campaign without Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, or Roberto Firmino. This trio dominated the club's attacking output for over a decade, combining for 488 goals during that period. Salah alone holds the record for most goals scored on opening matchdays in Premier League history, having netted ten times across those starts. His departure to Trabzonspor leaves a significant void in both goal production and creative influence.
The responsibility now falls on a newly assembled forward line that includes Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, who joined the club in 2025 for a combined fee of £320 million. Both players are expected to step up after disappointing debut campaigns. Isak, who scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle United, managed only four goals in his first season at Anfield due to injury setbacks. Wirtz contributed seven goals and ten assists last term but is viewed by the coaching staff as better prepared for the physical demands of English football after a year of adaptation.
Manager Andoni Iraola has emphasized the need for tactical flexibility and shared responsibility. He noted that no single player can replicate Salah's achievements, requiring the burden to be distributed across the squad. Isak is described by Iraola as being in a strong position mentally and physically, with instructions focused on his off-the-ball movement to create space for teammates. Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler echoed this optimism, suggesting Isak remains a significant threat despite last year's struggles.
Hugo Ekitike, another recent acquisition, faces an uncertain timeline for return after rupturing his Achilles tendon in April. The 24-year-old had shown promise early in his tenure but is unlikely to feature until the second half of the season. His absence heightens the urgency for additional attacking depth. Cody Gakpo remains the current squad's top scorer with 50 goals, though he has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and may be deployed on the left wing or as a central striker depending on tactical needs.
Transfer activity continues to shape the team's composition as the window closes. Liverpool recently failed to secure Yan Diomande, who moved to Real Madrid for up to £120 million. The club is now reportedly close to agreeing a deal for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola. Negotiations are ongoing regarding the fee, with PSG seeking approximately £145 million while Liverpool aims to pay closer to £100 million. Barcola, who primarily plays on the left, was considered last summer but passed over to allow Rio Ngumoha development time.
Ngumoha, who turns 18 next week and is eligible for a five-year contract, has been trialed on the right flank in pre-season matches. He made history as Liverpool's youngest goalscorer with a late winner at St James' Park last August. Iraola values versatility in his wingers, a philosophy reflected in the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna. Munoz offers pace and directness, qualities deemed essential for breaking down low defensive blocks.
Other targets have included Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, for whom a £50 million bid was rejected, and PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye. Captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the need for a squad capable of competing on all four fronts, expressing hope that final transfer moves would strengthen the team before the season fully commenced. The upcoming match against Newcastle United will serve as an early test of this new attacking configuration.
The transition marks a definitive end to an era defined by prolific individual scoring records. With Salah playing in Turkey and the former triumvirate gone, Liverpool must rely on collective effort rather than star power. The integration of Isak and Wirtz, alongside potential additions like Barcola, will determine whether the club can maintain its competitive standing. Pre-season performances suggest growing cohesion between the new signings, but the regular season will provide the true measure of their ability to fill the statistical gap left by their predecessors.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Life after Salah - why Isak and Wirtz must step up for Liverpool
