Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has sparked fresh debate by naming West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen as the ideal successor to Mohamed Salah at Anfield. With the Egyptian superstar set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, the race to find his replacement is heating up—and Owen has thrown a compelling name into the ring.

Speculation has been rife since Salah announced his departure, with Liverpool linked to a host of top talents. Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise was touted by Steven Gerrard as a prime candidate, but prying him away from the Bundesliga champions looks like a tall order. Other names in the mix include Juventus’ Francisco Conceicao and RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, both highly rated but potentially costly acquisitions.

Now, Owen has entered the conversation with a bold suggestion. Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Red heaped praise on Bowen, calling him a "legend of a player" and a "real top finisher." He added, "West Ham adore the man, and rightly so. But if West Ham went down, he would fit Liverpool for me. I think he’s absolutely brilliant. I don’t want to upset West Ham fans, but if they went down, then he would be my idea of somebody to replace Salah."

Bowen has been a model of consistency since joining West Ham from Hull City six years ago. The 27-year-old has racked up an impressive 84 goals and 62 assists in 277 appearances for the Hammers, establishing himself as both a fan favorite and the club’s talisman. This season alone, he’s contributed 10 goals and 11 assists in 39 games across all competitions—numbers that highlight his ability to deliver in big moments.

Of course, any move for Bowen hinges on West Ham’s Premier League survival. If the Hammers face relegation, the England international could be tempted to jump ship, but there’s been no concrete link to Liverpool just yet. For now, Owen’s endorsement adds an intriguing layer to the ongoing saga, leaving fans to wonder: could Bowen be the man to fill Salah’s boots?