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Christian Pulisic could be the ideal successor to Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, Jonathan Spector told GOAL, with the USMNT star described as a “nightmare” for opposing defences. The United States international forward is currently contracted to Serie A giants AC Milan, but he already has Premier League experience from his four-year spell at Chelsea.

Pulisic won the Champions League at Chelsea before moving to Milan

Pulisic became a Champions League winner during his time at Stamford Bridge, but he never fully won over the Blues and was pleased to take on a fresh challenge in 2023 when he moved to San Siro.

His spell in Italy has been productive, with personal best numbers arriving in front of goal. The all-action 27-year-old has made good use of his versatility and quickly became a fan favourite after settling into Serie A.

However, questions are being raised about his short-term and long-term future. A new contract, with fresh terms on the table for several months, is still unsigned. That is keeping the door open for a possible exit.

Having seen ‘Captain America’ shine under pressure and accept the responsibility that continues to be placed on his shoulders for club and country, leading teams across Europe are said to be weighing up the case for a move for Pulisic.

Liverpool are among those clubs. The Reds have seen ‘Egyptian King’ Salah leave, creating a major gap on the right side of their attack. Considerable thought is being given to how best to replace a modern-day legend at Anfield.

Could USMNT star Pulisic fill Liverpool's Salah-shaped void?

Pulisic, with his tireless running and eye for goal, checks plenty of boxes. Fellow American Spector believes the Pennsylvania-born player would succeed on Merseyside, telling GOAL while speaking in association with UFL on mobile: “I see that as well, I think in that sort of, I don't know if counterattacking style is the right way of putting it because that's not just what Liverpool is, but certainly when you see them go forward, they go at pace, and that is something that he does extremely well.

“He's confident, he's running at players. As a defender, it's a nightmare. It's worst-case scenario, when you have a player who is dynamic, and he's quick, shifty. That's the worst, last thing you want as a defender.”

Explained: Why Pulisic struggled to make his mark at Chelsea

Pulisic was still trying to fully unlock that potential when he played for Chelsea. Spector also explained why things did not go as planned in west London for a player who clearly has all the attributes needed to shine in the English top flight: “He didn't produce to the level that the expectations were at Chelsea.

“At a club like Chelsea, you have to. You could name a number of players, whether it's at Chelsea, Man United, Man City, who just didn't quite produce or didn't match the expectations. Those clubs have the ability to move on from players that are just not the right fit.

“For me, so much of it is about having the right fit at the right time, and that is the biggest question mark in all of this. You know, anyone who knows the game can pick a good player, anyone who is a casual fan can pick out a good player, but it's determining whether or not that player is going to be the right fit at the right time, and that's the really difficult piece of this.

“For me, Pulisic just wasn't the right fit at the right time at Chelsea. I think that's why he struggled and I don't know if that style of play suits him particularly well.”

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2026 World Cup: Criticism of Pulisic considered to be unfair

Pulisic may want another fresh challenge at club level after going through a frustrating 2026 World Cup campaign. That tournament on home soil saw the co-hosts exit in the last 16, with several supposed leading names having their individual contributions to the collective effort put under the microscope.

Spector went on to say of Pulisic, who remains a talismanic figure for the USMNT: “He for sure has one, maybe two World Cups in him, I would say. I think maybe he didn't have his best World Cup, and I think that's a fair argument to make.

“He wasn't able to play in every match either, not in a rhythm like some of the other players. You play a game, you come out, and you're not in that same sort of rhythm, and you see each team, each game, they've gotten better and better.

“The individuals have gotten better and better, and you really see the top, the elite players, really just showing the quality that they have each and every game and getting better in each and every match. He didn't have that sort of consistency and continuity.

“I think some of the criticism he's had has been a bit harsh. I don't think it's quite fair to judge him to some of the other U.S. players that we've had in the past, just based on this small sample of matches. At the World Cup is when you expect your main players to do it.

“I still think he was really effective, he looked dangerous in moments. But I'm sure he would be the first to admit he wasn't at his best. I'm sure he's just as frustrated, if not more so, than anyone else.”

Where will Pulisic be playing his club football in 2026-27?

Pulisic is enjoying a post-World Cup break as he looks to recharge before club duties take centre stage once again. It remains to be seen where he will be when the 2026-27 season begins.

Milan are hoping that he will be part of a new era under former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, but Liverpool and others may still decide that a formal bid is worth making, as the Rossoneri are backed into a corner that could leave them with no option but to listen to offers.