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Liverpool have made some key changes to their squad in recent times and could now be about to step up their pursuit of Mohamed Salah’s eventual long-term replacement.

The Reds have been out of sorts this campaign and appear to be suffering from a serious case of second-season syndrome after claiming the Premier League title last term, with several of their big hitters falling below usual standards in a frustrating period for Arne Slot.

Notably, Salah has struggled to adapt to changes around him such as Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak’s arrivals at the club. Now, that isn’t to say he hasn’t contributed, but shifting dynamics and a need to accommodate new stars have left the Egyptian hero caught in an awkward movie.

Five goals and three assists in 17 appearances across all competitions isn’t a bad record by any means. However, his overall influence on the side hasn’t been as prominent, something that may also be underpinned by Luis Diaz’s move to Bayern Munich.

Salah and Cody Gakpo lost the ball a combined 53 times against Nottingham Forest, something that made it difficult to string together consistent attacking passages of play in the cold light of day.

While nobody could’ve argued with Liverpool’s recruitment in the summer, football is never cut and dry and their collapse over recent weeks has definitely redefined what their priorities will be for the rest of the campaign.

Ultimately, the Premier League title may be a bridge too far unless there is a dramatic change in circumstances, but there is still plenty of glory to be derived should the Reds manage to get their act together over the coming months.

Eventually, Salah will be replaced, and Liverpool may now have identified the star that could succeed him at Anfield amid recent developments.

Liverpool are brewing a homegrown Salah in "remarkable" 16-year-old star

Liverpool’s youth scene is replete with potential – and this talent’s the cream of the crop.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 21, 2025 Liverpool willing to pay big money for Mohamed Salah replacement

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are willing to bid close to £200 million for Bayern Munich star Michael Olise, who has been identified as an ideal replacement for the Egypt international.

Salah is Liverpool’s highest earner on £400,000-a-week but is said to have an uncertain future at Anfield, and Reds chiefs aren’t willing to allow one of their most influential stars to depart without an equally talented potential asset ready and waiting.

Michael Olise at Bayern Munich

Appearances

73

Goals

29

Assists

33

Seen as someone who could become a decisive operator in the final third if they can convince Olise to move back to England after his excellent spell at Crystal Palace, his versatility is also of great value to internal figures at Liverpool.

Enjoying another positive campaign, the London-born winger has already notched nine goals and ten assists in 19 appearances across all competitions, with Fotmob showing he has created 24 chances in the Bundesliga.

Evidently, bringing in a Salah successor won’t come easy and Liverpool would need to part with a record fee to land someone like Olise, but he is someone worth taking the chance on going by his exploits over the last few years.

The grey clouds that have been hanging over West Ham United this year might just be starting to shift.

It’s still very early on in Nuno Espírito Santo’s tenure, but in the draw away to Everton and, more crucially, the win over Newcastle United, he’s shown enough to excite the fans.

More importantly, though, the win over the Toon suggests that the Portuguese coach might just be able to keep the Hammers in the Premier League.

Another huge positive to come out of that game was the display of Freddie Potts, and it’s already looking like the academy is brewing another talent like him.

Why Freddie Potts is such an exciting talent

Potts had made a few fleeting appearances for West Ham before Sunday’s game, but that was his first competitive start for the club.

However, he’s no inexperienced youngster, as he spent last season on loan with Portsmouth in the Championship, where he made 38 appearances, and the season before that with Wycombe Wanderers, where he made 43 appearances.

That experience clearly paid off against the Toon, as despite them being a Champions League side, the Barking-born ace looked completely unfazed.

Minutes

90′

Key Passes

2

Crosses

2

Passes

33/39

Touches

57

Tackles (Won)

3 (2)

Interceptions

1

Clearances

6

Recoveries

1

Ground Duels (Won)

4 (3)

In fact, he thrived, and from the first minute to the last, he was practically faultless, putting in a perfect all-action midfield performance.

One analyst claimed he had a “similar aura to Rice” and was particularly impressed with his “confidence and ability to create time and space on the ball.”

He was so good, in fact, that he got special attention on Match of the Day, and it feels like it won’t be the only time that happens this season.

In all, while it is still early on in his career, it looks like West Ham have an unreal midfield talent in Potts.

So, fans should be excited that the academy appears to be producing another prospect who could be a lot like him.

West Ham's next Potts in the making

The good news for West Ham and the fans is that there are currently several genuinely exciting players in the academy.

Bowen thinks he's "special": West Ham are brewing a bigger gem than Potts

The incredible gem could be an even bigger star for West Ham United than Freddie Potts.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 3, 2025

For example, Preston Fearon appears to have the potential to become a midfield destroyer one day, Emeka Adiele has been providing assists with ease at left-back, and Josh Landers seems to be a natural centre-forward.

However, another youngster, less well-known but with the potential to be a future Potts-esque star, is Isaac Thomas.

The 16-year-old Welshman made his debut for the club’s U18S over the weekend, and to say he impressed would be an understatement.

The young Hammers beat Ipswich Town 8-2 away from home, and instead of scoring one, a brace or even a hat-trick, the exciting prospect ended up with four goals to his name.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Amazingly, three of his goals were headers, with the fourth coming off his foot in the dying embers of the match. However, what makes the whole thing even more remarkable is that he was playing at centre-back.

Perhaps a little unsurprisingly, Thomas is not a natural defender, but stepped in to play there for the team regardless.

It’s this ability to be something of a utility player so young that makes him feel similar to Potts, as he, too, played at the back for the U21s and U18s on occasion.

Furthermore, if the “brilliant” teen, as dubbed by his coach, Lauris Coggin, possesses both the tactical awareness to play in defence and the technical ability to score four goals in a game, there is no reason he couldn’t eventually thrive in the middle of the park.

Ultimately, it is still so early in his career, but in Thomas, West Ham look to have another hugely promising talent, much like Potts.

Wolves fans orchestrated a powerful demonstration against controversial owners Fosun International during Monday’s 4-1 defeat to Man United, with an update coming to light on the future of the club.

Wolves linked with potential takeover amid torrid campaign

Supporters boycotted the opening 15 minutes of their heavy loss to highlight growing discontent with the Chinese conglomerate’s stewardship, and tensions have now reached boiling point.

The Old Gold Pack supporter group coordinated the protest, urging fellow fans to remain outside Molineux whilst displaying banners demanding change.

Multiple fan organisations, including Wolves 1877 Trust, Talking Wolves and Punjabi Wolves provided backing, describing the demonstration as “peaceful but unmistakable.”

Fosun acquired Wolves for £45 million in 2016, initially delivering impressive progress that even saw the club reach the Europa League quarter-finals under Nuno Espírito Santo.

However, supporters now view recent years as representing ‘managed decline’, with the systematic sale of key players, including Matheus Cunha’s £62.5m departure to United most recently, failing to result in adequate replacements.

The club currently sit rock bottom of the Premier League with two points from 15 games, not to mention zero wins, and are now 13 points adrift from safety.

Rob Edwards has struggled to generate momentum since arriving from Middlesbrough last month, with relegation appearing increasingly inevitable.

Fosun currently value Wolves at north of £350 million, with maligned American businessman, John Textor, previously submitting a ‘surprise’ estimanted £400 million offer (talkSPORT).

This proposal was made up of £150 million cash upfront plus £262.million in shares, though Fosun rejected the approach whilst maintaining the club’s ‘not for sale’ stance.

The ownership group instead seeks minority investment rather than an outright sale, though this stance contradicts supporters’ demands for wholesale change.

Executive chairman Jeff Shi faces particular criticism, with protesters displaying “Shi out” banners throughout Monday’s fixture.

Wolves now want to sign 'top talent' from Man City with player set to leave in January

Rob Edwards’ side need inspiration from somewhere.

ByEmilio Galantini 6 days ago

Financial implications weigh heavily, with relegation potentially costing over £60 million in revenue based on 2023-24 accounts showing a £177.7 million turnover. Historical precedent suggests the club’s value could plummet by £200 million should they drop into the Championship.

Bearing this in mind, a report this week by Football Insider makes sense.

Wolves will be 'forced to accept' cut-price takeover bid

According to their information, Wolves’ owners ‘will be forced to accept a cut-price offer’ if they decide to sell.

Given the club’s woes right now, Fosun’s negotiating position to demand their £350m valuation weakens by each passing day, with the club marooned bottom of the table and staring a drop to the Championship in the face.

However, the noise remains that, for the time being, they’re not interested in selling and only seek minority investment, according to Football Insider.

Wolves are also looking to be active in the January transfer window, even if it could be too little, too late.

Textor is now reportedly ready to make an official approach to buy Derby County instead, but according to former Botafogo president Carlos Augusto Montenegro, Wolves may have dodged a bullet.