Steven Gerrard has admitted he still feels the absence of Luis Díaz and believes Michael Olise would be an ideal long-term option for Liverpool’s wide positions. Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal first leg, Gerrard reflected on Díaz’s impact and the challenges facing the Reds.

“I wouldn’t mind Díaz back. I’m missing him, I’m missing him.” The remark underlined how Díaz’s form has left a gap at Anfield since his departure. That sense of loss was reinforced when Díaz opened the scoring in Bayern’s 2–1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Díaz, now 29, has been clear about his move to Germany. “Deciding to join Bayern was the right choice,” he said after the team’s massive Champions League victory. “I’m really happy and I enjoy every match. I feel great, I’m in good shape, and that means I’m ready to help the team.”

Bayern’s strong season explains Díaz’s contentment. They are in contention for three trophies: favourites for the DFB-Pokal, holding the advantage in their Champions League tie with Los Blancos, and sitting nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

Liverpool’s season has unfolded differently. The Reds were unable to challenge for the Carabao Cup, were eliminated by Manchester City from the FA Cup, sit in fifth place in the Premier League, and now face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarterfinals. The club said goodbye to Díaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer, and one year on Mohamed Salah has confirmed his impending exit after a tumultuous 2025–26 campaign headlined by a public falling out with manager Arne Slot and the club.

Liverpool must now identify a replacement for the departing winger. Gerrard pointed to Bayern’s Michael Olise — who has 46 goal contributions this season — as an outstanding candidate. “All day long. But the problem is, why would he leave Bayern? A big club challenging for the big honors and they are probably the strongest Bayern team we have seen for a while.”,

Gerrard’s comments framed the dilemma: Liverpool need quality on the wing, but attracting players from Europe’s leading clubs presents a difficult challenge.

Bayern Munich have denied making a contract offer to Mohamed Salah after reports in Egypt suggested approaches from Bayern, Paris Saint-Germain and unnamed Italian clubs. Salah, who turns 34 in June, is not ready to end his career and his next destination remains uncertain following Liverpool’s announcement about his future after the summer’s World Cup.

Max Eberl, Bayern’s board member for sport, was asked by Arabic sports news outlet winwin to clarify the claims and gave a direct rebuttal. “No, Mohamed Salah has not received any offer from Bayern Munich,” Eberl said.

A move to Bavaria would have raised the prospect of Salah reuniting with Luis Díaz, the former Liverpool teammate who swapped Anfield for the Allianz Arena last summer and has enjoyed an outstanding season. Bayern have shown little hesitation in signing established players in recent years, illustrated by the club making Harry Kane their record signing and the most expensive player in Bundesliga history shortly after he turned 30 in 2023.

Any potential Bayern transfer would also present competition for the same role as Michael Olise, who has 43 goals and assists for Bayern so far this season and is being discussed in Ballon d’Or conversations.

A transfer to Paris Saint-Germain also appears unlikely. Under Luis Enrique, PSG have shifted away from recruiting headline superstars and toward collective team-building, a model described in the reports as incompatible with “a player with an ego the size of Salah’s.”

Options for Salah to remain in Europe look limited. Barcelona have been mentioned as a possible suitor, but salary demands and the presence of Lamine Yamal in Salah’s preferred position pose obvious hurdles. Alternatives outside Europe include Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League. MLS has become more attractive to marquee signings since Lionel Messi’s 2023 move to Inter Miami; Messi’s reported salary is just over $20 million, although owner Jorge Mas has said the Argentine can be paid up to $80 million annually.

Defensive midfield remains a position of quiet influence. The players profiled here are prized not for flash but for control, timing and the capacity to turn defence into attack.

Morten Hjulmand earned his chance after spells with Admira Wacker and Lecce and moved to Sporting CP in the summer of 2023. He has become central to Sporting’s back-to-back Liga Portugal titles, a defensively intelligent midfielder who anticipates danger, breaks up attacks and instigates counters that often end in a ball in behind. While Viktor Gyökeres grabbed headlines, Hjulmand provided the silent link.

Midfielders who inherited huge boots include Nico González, drafted in as Rodri’s replacement midway through the 2024–25 season. He initially struggled but has improved this campaign, offering bite and commitment in Manchester City’s engine room as he works toward the next level.

Johnny Cardoso arrived at Real Betis in late 2023 and has established himself as a composed presence in La Liga. The New Jersey-born midfielder moved to Brazil as an infant and now reads the game, picks up second balls and progresses play with purpose.

Youssouf Fofana brings box-to-box energy for club and country, comfortable surging forward as well as shielding the backline. N’Golo Kanté, now playing in Türkiye, answered a France recall ahead of Euro 2024 and “bossed it.” “It is a madness. I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Ibrahima Konaté. Youssouf Fofana added: “Listen to me when I talk. It’s not a myth. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I have. It’s crazy.”

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba mixes athleticism with carry-first instincts and an appetite for long-range efforts. His supporters sing, “Then I saw his face… it’s CARLOS BALEBA!”

Rúben Neves left Porto for Wolves in 2017 and helped them to promotion and a top-seven finish before moving on; he now plays for Al Hilal and remains influential for Portugal. Amadou Onana rose from funding his own train tickets at Zulte Waregem to becoming a force at Everton and then Aston Villa.

Adam Wharton’s composed displays helped Crystal Palace upset Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final, stifling Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva. Elsewhere, players such as Eduardo Camavinga, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Aleksandar Pavlović, Granit Xhaka, Angelo Stiller, Aurélien Tchouaméni and others illustrate the varied profiles that make the modern No.6 indispensable.