Michael Owen's Concerns Over Liverpool's Summer Transfers
Michael Owen has watched this Liverpool summer with a raised eyebrow and a growing sense of unease.
The former Anfield striker cannot understand why his old club, having lost Mohamed Salah and seen Hugo Ekitike ruled out long term, have not moved more aggressively in the market – and he is adamant they missed a glaring opportunity in Jarrod Bowen.
Owen’s Bowen warning
Liverpool have already spent £34.5million on left-winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna and are locked in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over Bradley Barcola, while also tracking Champions League-winning teenager Ibrahim Mbaye. The recruitment department is clearly working. Owen’s issue is where they chose not to act.
“I would have gone more Jarrod Bowen as one player to come in,” he said, reflecting on West Ham United’s relegation and the window that briefly opened around one of England’s most reliable wide forwards before he signed a new deal at the London Stadium.
For Owen, Bowen ticked every box: “very talented, Premier League-proven and could have fitted in really well and could have scored plenty of goals.”
Liverpool, though, looked elsewhere. And with Salah’s goals and assists gone, that decision gnaws at him.
“Absolutely, yes,” he replied when asked if he was surprised by the club’s relatively subdued business. “Losing Mo Salah and his goals and assists must be a concern right now. Liverpool need to look to add more depth in the forward areas.”
The club’s pursuit of Barcola underlines that concern. The France international would not come cheap, and Owen senses the financial and tactical knock-on.
“Right now it seems Liverpool are putting all their time in looking to secure Barcola from PSG, although at a huge price tag it may mean that one of the attacking players may have to make way for him to join.
“I expect Liverpool to sign another attacking player as Mo leaves a big void and Liverpool do need to strengthen.”
Isak and Wirtz under the microscope
Owen’s focus is not only on who Liverpool might bring in. It is also on those already in the building who must now justify major investment.
The club spent over £100million on Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. Neither delivered a full, uninterrupted season.
Isak endured a brutal campaign, missing four months with a broken leg and never truly finding rhythm. Owen knows from experience how long such injuries can linger.
“He had a tough time last season,” he said. “That kind of injury does take a lot of time to recover from and sometimes you only recover to the player you were, not one that can push on even further.”
The benchmark, he insists, is the version of Isak that terrorised defences at Newcastle.
“But if Isak can find the same form that he did for Newcastle, then he can definitely show his worth for Andoni Iraola.
“He is hugely talented as shown for Newcastle and did look good in the World Cup, so hopefully he can be a top striker next season and score plenty.”
Wirtz, too, sits at a crossroads. The gifted attacking midfielder battled adaptation issues in his first year on Merseyside, but that bedding-in period is now over.
“With (Florian) Wirtz as well now having one season under his belt, we hope he can find good form.”
Liverpool need both to ignite. With Salah gone and the attack being rebuilt on the fly, there is little margin for another season of transition.
The Scouse heartbeat under threat
Away from the headline names and transfer fees, another issue troubles Owen: the future of Curtis Jones.
The midfielder is into the final year of his contract and continues to be linked with a move away. Inter have yet to meet Liverpool’s valuation, while Galatasaray are also circling. If he goes, Andoni Iraola could soon find himself without a single senior Scouse player in his squad.
For Owen, who lived the dream of a local lad breaking through at Anfield, that possibility cuts deep.
“It’s always nice to have homegrown players playing for Liverpool. The fans feel it when you see local players come through the Academy and shine for the first team,” he said.
That connection between pitch and stands has long defined Liverpool’s identity. Owen knows it, the Kop knows it. Lose it, and something intangible but vital slips away.
He pointed to the wider landscape, where local heroes move on and emotions run high.
“Look around at other clubs, Jack Grealish came through at Villa and left and got stick, the same with Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool when he left.
“So it’s difficult, but I do have to say, I was a local lad who came through the ranks and played for Liverpool and you could feel it was great.”
Owen’s verdict on this Liverpool summer is clear: too quiet so far, too risky in attack, and flirting with the loss of a core piece of the club’s soul. The window is still open. The question now is whether Liverpool act with the urgency their former No.10 believes the situation demands.
