Liverpool legend Emile Heskey has thrown his weight behind the idea of Christian Pulisic becoming a potential successor to Mohamed Salah on Merseyside, suggesting the American could reinvigorate his Premier League career after a mixed spell in England earlier in his journey.
Heskey‘s comments have sparked debate about how the Reds might plan for life beyond one of their most prolific forwards, particularly if Salah‘s long-term future at the club becomes uncertain.
Salah, the Egyptian superstar who has been central to Liverpool’s success over the last decade, remains under contract at Anfield until the summer of 2027. However, his form this season has dipped compared with previous campaigns.
The 33-year-old has struggled to find the back of the net in the league since early November, prompting speculation about whether Liverpool might need to refresh their attacking options.
Talks of moves to the Saudi Pro League or MLS have circulated, further fueling discussions about who could eventually step into the right-wing role should Salah depart or gradually reduce his influence.
Against this backdrop, Heskey believes that Pulisic‘s blend of Premier League experience, European pedigree, and attacking instinct makes him an intriguing option for the Reds. The American, now a key player for AC Milan, previously experienced challenges during his time with Chelsea.
While he displayed speed, creativity, and directness, injuries and inconsistency limited his goal-scoring output, leaving many to feel he hadn’t fully lived up to expectations.
Heskey, however, is confident that Pulisic’s early struggles in England should not overshadow his potential and that a return to the Premier League could allow him to showcase his talents on a bigger stage.
Can Pulisic fill Salah’s boots at Liverpool?
Heskey emphasized that while replacing Salah outright is a near-impossible task, Pulisic brings a different dimension that could complement Liverpool’s attacking setup.
His pace, technical ability, and direct approach could provide tactical flexibility for manager Arne Slot, allowing the team to rotate effectively on the wings while maintaining a high level of offensive threat. Heskey suggested that Pulisic, now 27, has the maturity, experience, and resilience to turn past disappointments into a defining chapter of his career.
“I think it’d be great to see someone like Pulisic come back into the Premier League in the same way – to show his earlier time at Chelsea was just a blip,” Heskey said. “He was young when he first came over, and now he has the experience to make a significant impact. He could offer something different to Salah or even Cody Gakpo right now.”
While Liverpool’s coaching staff and sporting directors will ultimately determine transfer targets, voices like Heskey‘s add an intriguing perspective to ongoing discussions about the future of the Reds’ forward line.
With Salah‘s form fluctuating and potential departures looming in the long term, Pulisic‘s return to England could be an opportunity to inject fresh energy and creativity into Liverpool’s attack while proving that past setbacks are no barrier to success.
