Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has offered his insight into Galatasaray vs Liverpool, and the latest names being linked with a move to Anfield, Reece James, Micky van de Ven, and Victor Osimhen.
Hamann has claimed that Salah's influence is now gone and suggests that Crystal Palace attacker Michael Olise is his perfect replacement and has offered the lowdown on Salah's supporting cast Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo.
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Prediction: Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Against Galatasaray , I probably still slightly favour Liverpool , even though they got beat there in the league phase. Galatasaray knocked Juventus out, although I have to say it was a bit disappointing. When Juventus needed three goals and were down to ten men, it took Galatasaray extra time to win the game. They probably should have scored a fourth goal or the goal that put them ahead.
So, I think they've been a bit naive and showed their flaws in that game. Having said that, they scored five late goals in Istanbul , so you've got to be wary because if you were to lose in Istanbul , there's no certainty you're going to turn them over at home.
So, it's a tricky game. If you asked me this a few months ago, I would have said, 'Yeah, that's a handy draw. It's a decent draw for the last 16, because there aren't many bad teams in it. The way things are going now, I wouldn't. I'd say 50-50, but probably just about 60-40 in favour of Liverpool .
Transfer Talk
Reece James
One thing with Reece James is the injuries. You've got to bear that in mind, because in Conor Bradley, Liverpool have got a talented player who misses more than half the games.
You need people who play 70, 80, 90% of the games. He's only 26, a very capable player obviously, but you need to see how he finishes the season now, how many games he's played in the last two or three seasons. But I think the right-back position is certainly one that Liverpool have to address.
Micky van de Ven
Liverpool need to consider Micky van de Ven because what you need at the back is pace, and he's got that in abundance. Ibrahima Konate's form has dropped off rapidly. Virgil van Dijk makes the odd mistake, which he didn't used to do. So he's certainly a player they should be looking at, but at the same time, I think he should concentrate on Spurs now because they pay him at the moment, and he's got to try to keep them in the league.
But come the summer, I wouldn't be surprised if Liverpool were interested. He's the type of player you need because, as I said, pace is vital, and there are not many quicker than him. So, yeah, he'd certainly be an option.
Victor Osimhen
I think Victor Osimhen is one of the top five centre-forwards in Europe. I couldn't believe that he ended up in Turkey . Obviously, Napoli paid an awful lot of money for him, but I'm very surprised that none of the English teams signed him, because they all struggled for centre forwards in the summer. They tried for players like Benjamin Sesko, and other players who have come in are only just starting to adapt now because they obviously needed some time.
I think he's an outstanding player, and I think he's probably the reason why Galatasaray is doing well in the league and also in the Champions League . I love watching him, and I think, if he were to play in the Premier League , there are teams he would make much better. Obviously, Liverpool have got two players there now, so he won't end up there, but he's an outstanding player. He's got pace, he's got power, he can finish, a wonderful player. If Newcastle do sell Nick Woltemade , he could be the perfect fit.
Mohamed Salah
Olise Primed To Replace Salah
For Liverpool , Michael Olise would be the perfect fit because he plays on the right-hand side, comes inside. He's been brilliant since he came to Bayern Munich .He's been a bit quiet in the last few weeks, but there are other players who decide games. But now with the Champions League starting again next week, I think we'll probably see the best of him again.
He’s a wonderful player. I probably couldn't think of a more perfect replacement for Salah than him. Bayern Munich will be reluctant to let him go because I don't think he's got a clause in his contract. He seems to be pretty settled and happy here. And if he only wants to play for Barcelona or Real Madrid , then that might not even come into the equation. But yeah, I'm sure that Liverpool will try their utmost to maybe get him out of Munich .
Salah's Form
Mohamed Salah has struggled since the Christmas before last. He struggled to score goals from open play, and that hasn't changed; it won't change. He might get the odd goal, but he certainly doesn't have the influence he used to have on Liverpool .
Hopefully, we'll see a little cameo over the last nine or ten games to get Liverpool into the top five. But I think his best days are behind him.
Liverpool's Attack
Hugo Ekitike
When Florian Wirtz is on song, he's one of the best providers in the Premier League, certainly one of the best in Europe . So I think Hugo Ekitike misses him, and at the same time, it's the same for him as it is for Cody Gakpo.
Being in this team at the moment, when you haven't got any control of games, makes it harder for him. He's still very young, we shouldn't forget. I think he overachieved or exceeded what was expected. I think he's an exceptional player, and I think a poor game from him against Wolves is the least worry I have at the moment.
Cody Gakpo
They're all struggling, and the issue with Mohamed Salah is that, in the form he's been in over the last decade, he didn't just score and create goals; he created space for others. At times, he was unplayable, requiring two players to try to stop him. If you use two players on Salah , that creates space for someone else. I think they all benefited from that, and that's gone now because Salah isn't the force he once was. He scored his first league goal since November or something against Wolves .
I think it's a combination of a couple of things, but the way the team is playing now, I don't think it's easy for the forwards or wingers to shine because they just don't control games. This control is why they were so good last season; it makes it much easier for the forwards to take a chance and maybe take a risk. I don't think they have that now because they're too open at the back. So, I think it's a combination of factors, but it's fair to say Cody Gakpo hasn't played as well as he used to.
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