{"id":649885,"date":"2026-06-21T02:25:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T02:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/649885\/"},"modified":"2026-06-21T02:25:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T02:25:11","slug":"mohamed-salah-backed-to-make-dramatic-liverpool-u-turn-as-fresh-andoni-iraola-verdict-delivered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/649885\/","title":{"rendered":"Mohamed Salah backed to make dramatic Liverpool U-turn as fresh Andoni Iraola verdict delivered"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Mohamed Salah brought the curtain down on his trophy-laden Liverpool career against Brentford at Anfield last month &#8211; but he is yet to join a new club<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mohamed Salah\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_GettyImages-2278174290.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Mohamed Salah\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mohamed Salah(Image: (Jack Thomas\/Getty Images))<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Michael Owen believes Mohamed Salah could still perform a dramatic U-turn and return to Liverpool this summer. Salah announced in March that he would bring the curtain down on his illustrious career at <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/anfield\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Anfield<\/a> following the conclusion of this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The forward reached an agreement with the Reds that would see him depart the club on a free transfer, and it came after he launched a tirade against <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/arne-slot\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Arne Slot<\/a> in December. Salah then delivered a withering assessment of <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Liverpool\u2019s<\/a> style of play and called for a return to the \u201cheavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and wins trophies\u201d following the defeat to Aston Villa last month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But since then Slot has been sacked and replaced by <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/andoni-iraola\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Andoni Iraola<\/a>, and even though Owen admits it is highly unlikely, he believes there is still a chance that Salah could re-join <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Liverpool<\/a> this summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LiverpoolEchoLFC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"> All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo&#8217;s dedicated LFC Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: \u201cIs it impossible that there&#8217;s a U-turn? I think it&#8217;s not beyond the realm that if Slot had been sacked during the season, Salah might have seen out his contract under a new manager.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s beyond the realms. Maybe they&#8217;ve gone too far, though, now. Obviously now that he&#8217;s done his wave goodbye and all the rest of it, it&#8217;s probably gone too far now to make a big U-turn.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;If they sacked Slot five games before the end, then maybe a U-turn could have happened then. Maybe it&#8217;s still not fully beyond the realms of possibility.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liverpool announced <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">the \u00a334.5million capture of Victor Munoz on Thursday<\/a> and have told RB Leipzig they will pay about \u00a386million for Yan Diomande as they look to add attacking reinforcements to their squad.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_CA-Osasuna-v-Real-Oviedo-LaLiga-EA-Sports.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Liverpool announced the signing of Victor Munoz on Thursday\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Liverpool announced the signing of Victor Munoz on Thursday(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But Owen believes West Ham United\u2019s Jarrod Bowen is the perfect player to replace Salah at <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Anfield<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I would say that Liverpool need a right-sided attacking player,\u201d he said. \u201cI&#8217;ve mentioned before, I think Jarrod Bowen is a really good solution.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;That being said, they also definitely need a centre-half. <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Liverpool <\/a>bought for the future by buying two young players. One did his knee straight away and one did his shoulder.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;(Virgil) Van Dijk and obviously one or two players can play in that position, but I would have thought a centre-half and a right-sided attacking player would be first priority.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Slot was dismissed following an end-of-season review that decreed his playing style was no longer the right fit for the club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Dutchman also paid the price for <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Liverpool\u2019s<\/a> disappointing defence of their <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/barclays-premier-league\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Premier League<\/a> title and the fact his side lost 19 times in all competitions.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Arne Slot is out of work after being fired by Liverpool.\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_GettyImages-2276548459.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Arne Slot was sacked by Liverpool last month\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arne Slot was sacked by Liverpool last month(Image: James Gill &#8211; Danehouse\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And Owen, speaking via<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/us\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"> Casino.org<\/a>, is excited by the prospect of former Bournemouth boss Iraola taking over at Anfield.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: &#8220;You can question most appointments, can&#8217;t you? There&#8217;s rarely an absolute perfect fit. But you would say from a positive point of view, he&#8217;s young, he&#8217;s hungry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHe plays a style of play that <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Liverpool<\/a> fans have been used to, certainly in previous years under <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/jurgen-klopp\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Jurgen Klopp<\/a>. There&#8217;s lots going for him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;What are the question marks? I guess not having managed at this level or this size of club, and can his style of play sort of last through for a season? Do you burn your players out quickly? I don&#8217;t know, they&#8217;re questions that are going to be answered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I&#8217;m certainly excited by the appointment. Not every appointment is perfect on paper, but they can develop into being perfect. And Iraola&#8217;s has a lot of the right credentials on paper.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Thousands of Liverpool fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/affiliates\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_Untitled-June-03-2026-at-091411-11jpeg.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Various Prices<\/p>\n<p>Seat Unique<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/track.webgains.com\/click.html?wgcampaignid=1475915&amp;wgprogramid=306113&amp;clickref=Regionals-football.london-widget&amp;wgtarget=https:\/\/www.seatunique.com\/sport-tickets\/football\/liverpool-fc-tickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">Buy official packages at Seat Unique<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Official premium experiences at Anfield are available now for the 26\/27 Premier League season. Make it easier than ever to turn a regular fixture into something genuinely unforgettable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mohamed Salah brought the curtain down on his trophy-laden Liverpool career against Brentford at Anfield last month &#8211;&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":649886,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[59,134,2180,2227,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-649885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-gb","tag-liverpool-fc","tag-liverpool-fc-transfer-news","tag-mohamed-salah","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/649885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=649885"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/649885\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/649886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=649885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=649885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=649885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}