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Liverpool will begin the 2026/27 Premier League season without Mohamed Salah for the first time in nearly a decade, with new manager Andoni Iraola looking to Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz to lead the club into a new era.
Salah, who joined Turkish side Trabzonspor this summer, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy after scoring 257 goals for the Reds, including a Premier League-record 10 goals on opening matchdays. His departure also marks the end of an era that featured the famed attacking trio of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, who combined for 488 goals between 2015 and 2026.
Liverpool invested heavily in the future by signing Isak, Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike for a combined £320 million last summer. However, Ekitike is expected to miss the opening months of the campaign after suffering an Achilles injury, placing greater attacking responsibility on Isak and Wirtz following modest debut seasons at Anfield.
The club is still searching for another attacking reinforcement after missing out on teenage forward Yan Diomande, who joined Real Madrid. Liverpool are now pushing to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, although negotiations continue over the transfer fee.
Ahead of Sunday's season opener against Newcastle United, captain Virgil van Dijk stressed the need for a squad capable of competing on all fronts and expressed hope that further additions would arrive before the transfer window closes.
Iraola has backed Isak to play a key role this season, describing the Swedish striker as an important player capable of scoring goals and creating space for teammates. Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler also believes the £125 million forward has the quality to thrive, describing him as a world-class attacker with the ability to excite fans, create chances and deliver goals.
With Salah's departure closing a memorable chapter in the club's history, Liverpool's ambitions this season will largely depend on whether Isak, Wirtz and the club's emerging attacking talents can rise to the challenge.
