Steven Gerrard Urges Liverpool to Secure £165.5M ‘Double Deal’ for Luis Diaz and Michael Olise

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard wants the club to spend £165.5m to bring Luis Diaz back to Anfield and sign Michael Olise as Salah's successor.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 8:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365.

The Regret Over Luis Diaz’s Departure

The decision to sell Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for £65.5m last summer has become a focal point of debate as Liverpool’s title defense falters. Speaking on TNT Sports during coverage of Bayern’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Real Madrid, Steven Gerrard admitted he "misses" the Colombian winger at Anfield. Despite Liverpool spending over £400m on a squad overhaul, the left-wing position has been a source of frustration, with Cody Gakpo struggling to replicate Diaz's explosive impact. Gerrard’s sentiment highlights a growing belief among the fanbase that the "deal of the summer" may have actually weakened the Reds’ frontline.

Michael Olise: The "All Day Long" Successor to Salah

With Mohamed Salah reportedly "far from his best" this term and facing an uncertain future, Gerrard identified Michael Olise as the ideal replacement. The 24-year-old Frenchman, currently valued at over £100m by the German giants, dazzled against Real Madrid, showcasing a versatility that Gerrard believes makes him a nightmare for defenders. "The problem with him is he can go both ways," Gerrard noted. "If you leave him in one-versus-one situations, you are in major trouble." When asked if he would bring Olise to Merseyside, Gerrard responded, "All day long," though he admitted prising him away from a settled, winning Bayern team would be a monumental task.

Carragher Defends the Financial Logic

In contrast to Gerrard’s emotional plea, fellow pundit Jamie Carragher maintained that Liverpool’s decision to sell Diaz was sound business. Speaking on CBS Sports, Carragher argued that the £70m package for a 28-year-old on the verge of a massive contract extension was too good to refuse. He pointed out that Bayern’s "desperation"—fueled by missing out on Florian Wirtz and an injury to Jamal Musiala during the Club World Cup—allowed Liverpool to maximize their return on an aging asset. While Carragher admitted the team "misses him as a player," he refused to criticize the club for prioritizing long-term financial stability.