Former Liverpool winger says pay whatever the cost “plus Gakpo” for Mo replacement

Pennant call highlights recruitment dilemma

Pennant did not hedge his position. After watching Olise shine in a Champions League thriller, he wrote: “Liverpool go out and get Olise right now, at all costs. There is your replacement for Mo Salah. AT ALL COSTS. Any amount plus Gakpo.”

It is the sort of statement that cuts through the cautious language of modern recruitment strategy. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, are attempting to recalibrate after a summer window that failed to deliver decisive upgrades. Yet Pennant’s argument is less about sentiment and more about profile fit.

Olise is not a like for like replacement in the traditional sense. Slot himself has acknowledged that replicating Salah directly is “probably impossible”. Instead, Olise offers a different axis of threat. He is ambidextrous, capable of destabilising defensive structures by moving either way, and operates with a composure that belies his age.

Gakpo question intensifies transfer debate

Pennant’s inclusion of Cody Gakpo in his proposal sharpens the discussion further. Gakpo’s return of eight goals and six assists in 48 appearances reflects a player yet to fully impose himself at the required level. He has endured scrutiny, and in a squad recalibration scenario, he becomes a negotiable asset.

This is where Liverpool’s recruitment model is tested. Do they persist with internal development, or do they pivot towards a marquee acquisition who can immediately alter the attacking dynamic?

Bayern’s stance complicates matters. Their hierarchy has been unequivocal. Olise is not for sale. Even in the face of a significant bid, there is no appetite to negotiate. That reflects both his contractual position and his tactical importance within a side chasing multiple honours.

Transfer reality shaped by Bayern stance

From a market perspective, the deal feels improbable. Bayern have little incentive to weaken a squad that is competing for the Bundesliga title and beyond. Olise is under contract until 2029, which places control firmly in Munich.

Yet transfer sagas are rarely dictated by logic alone. Liverpool’s need is acute. Salah’s departure removes not just goals, but structure, leadership, and identity on the right flank. Any replacement will carry both statistical and psychological weight.

Steven Gerrard’s assessment of Olise adds another layer to the conversation. He highlighted the winger’s unpredictability, noting that defenders struggle to channel him onto a weaker side because “his right foot is just as strong as his left”. In one versus one scenarios, that duality becomes a decisive advantage.

Liverpool are therefore staring at a familiar paradox. The ideal solution exists, but acquiring it requires stretching both financial and strategic boundaries. Pennant’s rallying cry may sound exaggerated, yet it captures the urgency of the moment.

The coming window will reveal whether Liverpool are prepared to act with that level of conviction, or whether they will pursue a broader, more measured rebuild.