---
title: "“Ideal choice to replace Salah”: Liverpool legend backs ‘brillant’ West Ham star to make Anfield move"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/05/06/michael-owen-backs-jarrod-bowen-for-liverpool-transfer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ralphael Adelugba"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2026-05-06T16:15:00Z"
modified: "2026-05-06T16:20:59Z"
---

# “Ideal choice to replace Salah”: Liverpool legend backs ‘brillant’ West Ham star to make Anfield move

- **Michael Owen believes that Jarrod Bowen would be the ideal replacement for departing Mohamed Salah**
- **Liverpool have a long-standing interest in Bowen**
- **West Ham United are in the Premier League relegation zone**

West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen would be the ideal succession plan for Mohamed Salah, according to former Liverpool striker Michael Owen.

The [Reds](https://readliverpoolfc.com/) face the unenviable task of replacing the Egyptian who has completely dominated backlines up and down the country after Salah announced that he would be leaving Merseyside this summer.

Whether [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/) stays in the Premier League will likely determine [Bowen’s future](https://readwestham.com/2026/05/06/west-ham-news-today-may-6/) in East London. The Hammers, who are [one point outside of safety](https://readwestham.com/2026/05/06/west-ham-survival-situation-gameweek-35/), will play league leaders [Arsenal](https://readarsenal.com/) on Sunday before travelling to [Newcastle United](https://readnewcastle.com/) and playing [Leeds United](https://readwestham.com/2026/04/05/west-ham-0-2-leeds-united/) on the final day.

Since joining West Ham in January 2020 from [Championship](https://readwestham.com/2026/05/06/west-ham-target-jordan-james-as-potential-mateus-fernandes-replacemnt/) club Hull City, the 29-year-old has been the club’s most productive contributor with 84 goals and 62 assists in 277 matches. He was made club captain ahead of the 2024/25 season.

## Michael Owen backs West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen for Liverpool move

The 2001 Ballon d’Or winner stated on the [talkSPORT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6ulBxsde1k) Breakfast show that he thinks [Bowen](https://readwestham.com/2026/05/04/jarrod-bowen-west-ham-defeat-to-brentford/) is the best person to replace Anfield’s departing superstar.

Owen expressed his personal opinion of the Hammers skipper by saying: *“How did you know? I told a couple of my mates yesterday that he’s the one player I would sign. Obviously he’s a legend of a player, West Ham adore the man, and rightly so, but if they go down, he would be the right fit for Liverpool.”*

*“I think he’s absolutely brilliant. I was lucky enough to do a striker masterclass for a TV show with him last season and I couldn’t believe how good he was with both feet, taking corners, his pace and he’s a top finisher.*

*“He’s a brilliant player who I would take to the World Cup. I don’t want to upset West Ham fans but if they go down, he would be my ideal choice to replace Salah.”*

[Michael Owen NAMES perfect Mo Salah replacement for Liverpool this summer! (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/k6ulBxsde1k?feature=oembed)

Even if the Irons stays up, Liverpool could still be interested in acquiring Bowen. [The Reds have held a long and public admiration in the England international](https://readwestham.com/2026/05/01/liverpool-interested-in-west-ham-trio/), with the opening on the right side of their attack offering the ideal summer to act on their interest.