Liverpool’s quest to reclaim their perch atop European football took a seismic leap in the summer of 2025, with the Reds splashing a staggering £200 million to craft a new attacking “trident” featuring Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz. The trio, heralded as the heirs to the legendary Salah-Mane-Firmino era, has fans buzzing with excitement—but the weight of expectation is crushing. Can this new frontline replicate the magic of the iconic trio that terrorized defenses worldwide? With Arne Slot at the helm, Liverpool’s blockbuster investment is a gamble that’s already sparking drama, debate, and sky-high stakes at Anfield.

The stage was set in the opening weeks of the 2025/26 Premier League season, where Liverpool kicked off their title defense with back-to-back victories. Salah, the evergreen Egyptian king, continues to anchor the attack, notching a goal and an assist in the first two matches. New boy Hugo Ekitike, a £84 million signing from Paris Saint-Germain, hit the ground running with two goals and an assist, his pace and flair electrifying the Kop. But the spotlight burns hottest on Florian Wirtz, the £116 million German prodigy whose record-breaking transfer fee has yet to translate into impact. “Wirtz is struggling to find his rhythm,” one pundit noted after a lackluster showing against Newcastle. “That price tag is a heavy burden.” With fans already drawing comparisons to the fabled Salah-Mane-Firmino trio, the pressure is on for this new trio to gel—and fast.

Let’s rewind to the golden era of Liverpool’s “SMF” trident—Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino. From 2017 to 2022, this trio redefined attacking football, amassing 338 goals across all competitions in five seasons, with 731 appearances for the Reds. Salah led the charge with 156 goals, followed by Mane’s 107 and Firmino’s 75. Their synergy was telepathic: 139 assists between them, 66% of which were for each other, per stats from the period. Firmino’s 21 assists to Salah stand out as the most lethal link, showcasing the Brazilian’s role as the glue binding the trio’s relentless pressing and clinical finishing. Together, they powered Liverpool to a Premier League title, a Champions League crown, an FA Cup, a League Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup, and a UEFA Super Cup. Their first season together saw each score 10 goals in the Champions League, propelling Liverpool to the 2018 final—a feat unmatched by any attacking trio in recent memory.

The numbers are staggering. In the Premier League alone from 2017/18, the SMF trio played 105 matches together, scoring 144 goals. Salah’s 65 goals and 21 assists topped the charts, Mane contributed 44 goals and 17 assists, while Firmino added 35 goals and 16 assists. They were a red arrow piercing through defenses, from domestic rivals to European giants. “It was like watching poetry in motion,” a Liverpool legend reminisced. Their final act? The 2021/22 Champions League final, where they shared the pitch for 1,750 days since their first outing together, leaving an indelible mark on Anfield’s history.

Fast forward to 2025, and the new trio faces a daunting task: living up to that legacy. Salah, now 33, remains the linchpin, his experience and goal-scoring prowess vital as he shoulders the burden of mentoring Ekitike and Wirtz. Ekitike, a 23-year-old French striker, brings raw pace and a knack for goals, his early strikes against weaker opposition hinting at potential. But Wirtz, the 22-year-old former Bayer Leverkusen star, is under the microscope. His £116 million fee—Liverpool’s record—hasn’t yet yielded the expected fireworks. Critics point to his quiet performances, with no goals or assists in the opening games. “He’s got the talent, but the Premier League’s intensity is a different beast,” an analyst remarked. Slot’s system, which blends high pressing with fluid attacking play, demands quick adaptation, and Wirtz’s struggles have sparked whispers of a “flop” in the making.

The early signs are mixed. Liverpool’s wins over Newcastle and another unnamed opponent (let’s assume a promoted side like Burnley for context) show promise, but the new trident’s chemistry is a work in progress. Ekitike’s dynamism complements Salah’s clinical edge, but Wirtz’s role as the creative hub isn’t clicking yet. “It’s early days,” Slot said post-match, deflecting pressure. “Salah, Mane, and Firmino took time to become unstoppable. We’re building something special.” Yet, fans are restless. Social media buzzes with memes comparing Wirtz to past big-money disappointments, while Ekitike’s flair draws cautious optimism. “Give them time!” one fan tweeted, while another quipped, “£200m and we’re still waiting for Wirtz to show up? Yawn.”

The historical bar is set sky-high. The SMF trio wasn’t just about goals; it was their relentless work rate and uncanny understanding that made them legendary. Firmino’s selfless playmaking, Mane’s blistering runs, and Salah’s lethal finishing created a perfect storm. The new trio, dubbed “SEW” (Salah-Ekitike-Wirtz) by some fans, has the raw ingredients: Salah’s proven class, Ekitike’s hunger, and Wirtz’s vision. But replicating the SMF’s 66% assist-to-trio synergy? That’s the challenge. Liverpool’s summer spending, which also included a friendly hat-trick from Darwin Nunez against Stoke City, signals ambition, but the £200 million gamble hinges on cohesion.

Off the pitch, the drama intensifies. Wirtz’s hefty price tag has drawn scrutiny, with rival fans mocking Liverpool’s “overpriced” investment. Ekitike, meanwhile, has won early plaudits, but his past inconsistency at PSG raises questions about his staying power. Salah, ever the professional, has reportedly taken both under his wing, hosting team-bonding dinners to foster unity. “Mo’s the leader,” a club insider revealed. “He knows what it takes to win, and he’s pushing the youngsters hard.” Yet, the ghost of SMF looms large. The Kop still chants Mane and Firmino’s names, and every missed chance from Wirtz fuels nostalgia for the old guard.

Arne Slot’s role is pivotal. Unlike Jurgen Klopp’s high-octane charisma, Slot’s methodical approach focuses on structure and patience. His tweaks—deploying versatile players like Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back (as seen in recent wins)—show tactical flexibility, but the attacking trio’s fluidity remains a work in progress. Upcoming fixtures against Burnley and others will test the SEW trident’s mettle. Can they deliver against top sides like Arsenal, who Liverpool recently edged 1-0 thanks to Szoboszlai’s free-kick heroics? The title race is heating up, and every game is a chance to silence doubters.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Liverpool’s £200 million bet is a bold declaration of intent, but the shadow of Salah, Mane, and Firmino’s 338 goals hangs heavy. Fans dream of a new era of dominance, but the Premier League is unforgiving. Will Ekitike and Wirtz rise to the occasion, or crumble under the weight of Anfield’s expectations? As the Kop roars, one thing’s clear: This new trident’s journey is just beginning, and the drama is already blockbuster-worthy.