Liverpool will increasingly look to Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz to shoulder the attacking burden as the club plans for life after Mohamed Salah.
No player has scored more goals on the first matchday of a Premier League season than Salah, a statistic that underlines how consistently he has delivered for the club since his arrival.
His influence has gone well beyond the opening weekend, with goals, assists and leadership that have made him one of the defining figures of Liverpool's recent history.
“You don't replace a player like that with one name. It has to be a collective effort, and the new signings are the heart of it.”
The arrival of Isak and Wirtz was widely seen as a statement of intent, bringing in two players in their prime who are expected to form the core of the side for years to come.
Isak offers a different profile to Salah, operating as a central striker who can stretch defences and finish from a range of positions, while Wirtz is valued for his creativity between the lines.
Former players and pundits have suggested that the transition will not be simple, as replacing the output of a player who regularly reaches double figures in goals and assists is rarely achieved by one signing alone.
The coaching staff are expected to share responsibility across the front line, encouraging midfielders and full-backs to contribute more in the final third.
Supporters will be watching closely in the opening weeks of the season for signs that the new partnership is starting to click.
The summer recruitment drive was one of the most ambitious in the club's history, and expectations among supporters are correspondingly high. Settling into a new league and a new tactical system can take time, however, and coaches have urged patience during the early months.
The club has not set out a public timeline for any change in Salah's role, and he remains a central part of the squad for now.
