Liverpool’s transfer business in January is arguably some of the most important they will have conducted in recent years.
Ibrahima Konate’s crucial mistake in the 1-4 loss to PSV further highlighted the need for Liverpool to get a deal for Marc Guehi over the line.
When Luis Diaz was sold to Bayern Munich against Arne Slot’s wishes, a direct replacement was not brought in, and this has proved costly so far this season.
Antoine Semenyo is another name on Liverpool’s radar; however, bringing the 25-year-old to Merseyside to replace Diaz could prove to be a difficult task after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s recent admission.
Pep Guardiola eyeing Antoine Semenyo to aid Manchester City title charge
It will come as no surprise to Richard Hughes and Co. that other elite Premier League outfits like Manchester City are in the hunt to sign Semenyo.
However, it does not make it any less concerning, and given the current state the Reds find themselves in, even the staunchest Liverpool supporter could not begrudge a player for choosing to sign for City over Liverpool at this moment in time.
- Manchester City are currently third in the Premier League, whilst Liverpool languish in 12th
- The Reds have also lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions, with manager Slot currently fighting for his job
- Semenyo may also look at the way Alexander Isak, Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz have struggled since making the move to Liverpool and feel City would be a better environment for him to develop as a player
According to reports from talkSPORT, on November 25, Guardiola is keen on bringing Bournemouth’s talisman to the Etihad, with Guardiola being concerned about the over-reliance on Erling Haaland to score City’s goals this season.
With 19 Premier League goals in his last full two seasons, Semenyo would certainly remedy this issue and give City the extra goalscoring threat they need from wide areas.
Pep Guardiola’s previous comments regarding Antoine Semenyo will only worry Liverpool supporters further
The Spaniard has not been shy when it comes to praising Semenyo, with Guardiola labelling the winger as an “extraordinary player” before City faced Bournemouth at the start of November.
Guardiola’s praise did not stop there, however, with the six-time Premier League winner also having this to say about Semenyo.
“His energy, his confidence, his movement — unbelievable. He doesn’t stop running, he attacks space so well, and when he has the ball, you feel something will happen.”
Liverpool will be hoping they can turn their season around, and persuading Semenyo to sign could prove to be the catalyst that completely changes the club’s fortunes.
However, it seems as though Hughes may need to pull a rabbit out of the hat when it comes to persuading the winger to come to Merseyside as opposed to Manchester in the January transfer window.
