The departure of Mohamed Salah has become one of the most seismic events of the summer 2026 transfer window in the Premier League. While devoted Liverpool fans were well aware of the imminent split with the 'Egyptian King' long before the end of the 2025/26 season, the reality of his exit has hit hard.
With the club hierarchy foreseeing the loss of their main attacking powerhouse, fans expected that securing a direct replacement for Salah on the right flank would be Liverpool's priority in the transfer market.
However, the outcome of the transfer window has left many questions unanswered. Liverpool did manage to sign two new forwards — Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola — but both players are predominantly left wingers. Consequently, new manager Andoni Iraola finds himself with four left-sided forwards at his disposal. While any of them could potentially fill in on the opposite flank if necessary, securing a world-class right winger should have been a fundamental objective.
Speculation linked Liverpool with several candidates, with scouts in talks and officially approaching the likes of Ismaila Sarr and Yanco Minte right up to the transfer deadline. However, neither deal came to fruition, leaving the club's attacking flanks lacking balance and depth. Fans are now left to await the winter transfer window, but the bitter taste of missed summer opportunities lingers. Perhaps the most glaring miss was Ferran Torres.
The Spanish forward enjoyed a stellar season at Barcelona, shining in all three attacking positions and racking up 24 goal contributions across competitions, eclipsing Salah's own numbers at Liverpool. Ultimately, Torres moved to PSG, becoming a direct replacement for Lee Kang In. Liverpool had displayed serious interest in the forward before his move to the French giants but failed to see negotiations through to a successful conclusion.
On Wednesday, the 26-year-old forward made his presence felt, netting a stunning hat-trick for PSG in their Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava.
Comparison of Liverpool's attacking flanks:
| Forward | Main Position | Experience on Right Flank | Status under Andoni Iraola |
| Bradley Barcola | Left Winger | Occasional, lacks sharpness in cutting in | Summer signing, part of the starting squad |
| Victor Munoz | Left Winger | Rare, used mainly on the left side | Summer signing, rotational option |
| Missed Ferran Torres | Universal across the front line (centre/ both flanks) | Regular elite experience at Man City, Barca, and PSG | Hat-trick in UCL for PSG, perfect fit for pressing style |
During his time at Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola earned a reputation for creating systems where each player in the attacking trio could interchange positions effectively without losing quality. Historically, Liverpool has relied on clear-cut specialists in each position, as demonstrated by the iconic trio of Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane. Modern football trends demand a total versatility, meaning the presence of four natural left wingers shouldn't faze the Basque manager.
However, it is the phenomenal versatility of Torres that would have made him the ideal successor to Salah at Anfield.
The Spaniard can operate successfully in any of the three attacking roles and proved last season he could be the main goal-scoring threat for a top club. At just 26, Torres is at his career peak, and his extensive experience in the Premier League with Manchester City would ensure an instant adaptation.
Signing Torres could have scuppered the transfer of Bradley Barcola, but from a neutral standpoint, Liverpool's failure to pursue the Spaniard reflects a serious strategic blunder from the club's hierarchy, particularly given Andoni Iraola's playing philosophy.
