Life after Salah - why Isak and Wirtz must step up for Liverpool

WHAT HAPPENED
Liverpool begin the 2026-27 Premier League season at Newcastle on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 BST) under new head coach Andoni Iraola — without Mohamed Salah in their squad. Salah will be playing in Turkey for Trabzonspor against Istanbul Basaksehir on the same day.

This is the first Liverpool season-opener since 2015 without any of the trio Salah, Sadio Mané or Roberto Firmino available. The club’s recent summer recruitment — including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike — has not yet produced a clear replacement for Salah’s goals and creativity.

KEY CONTEXT
Between 2015 and 2026 Salah, Mané and Firmino combined for 488 Liverpool goals (Salah 257, Mané 120, Firmino 111); Salah alone holds the Premier League record for most goals scored on opening matchday fixtures, with 10. The current squad’s highest scorer is Cody Gakpo on 50 Liverpool goals.

Liverpool spent a reported £320m on Isak, Wirtz and Ekitike last summer. Ekitike had a bright start at Anfield but suffered a ruptured Achilles in April and is hoped to return in the second half of the season. Isak (26) and Wirtz (23) are being looked to lead the team after debut campaigns described as disappointing. Club captain Virgil van Dijk has emphasised the need for a squad capable of mounting challenges on multiple fronts.

WHY IT MATTERS
Salah’s departure leaves a significant goalscoring and creative void that cannot realistically be filled by a single player; Liverpool need multiple contributors up front. Ekitike’s long-term injury increases the pressure to add attacking options, while the team also must balance introducing young talent such as Rio Ngumoha with securing experienced recruits.

Transfer activity is shaping how Liverpool will respond: they were linked with several forwards, failed in the pursuit of Yan Diomande (who moved to Real Madrid), and are reported to be pursuing PSG winger Bradley Barcola — though fee expectations between clubs differ. Squad composition and any incoming signings will influence Liverpool’s tactical approach under Iraola and how responsibility is shared among the forwards.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Liverpool complete a high-profile attacking signing in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.
- The outcome of reported talks over Bradley Barcola, where PSG’s initial valuation (~£145m) contrasts with Liverpool’s preference for a lower fee (around £100m).
- Ekitike’s rehabilitation timeline and the club’s expectation that he could be available in the second half of the season.
- Whether Rio Ngumoha signs a professional five-year deal once he turns 18 next week and how he is deployed after pre-season trials on the right wing.
- Team selection at St James’ Park, where Gakpo is expected to start on the left and Ngumoha on the right.

KEY FACTS
- Liverpool start the 2026-27 season at Newcastle under Andoni Iraola; kick-off 16:30 BST on Sunday.
- Mohamed Salah will be playing for Trabzonspor in Turkey the same day.
- Salah, Mané and Firmino scored 488 goals for Liverpool from 2015–2026 (Salah 257).
- Liverpool signed Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike last summer for a combined £320m.
- Hugo Ekitike ruptured his Achilles in April; the club hope he will be fit in the second half of the season.
- Liverpool have pursued targets including Yan Diomande (joined Real Madrid) and are reported to be negotiating for PSG’s Bradley Barcola.