Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth and Milos Kerkez of Liverpool battle for possession during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England.placeholder image
Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth and Milos Kerkez of Liverpool battle for possession during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England. | Getty Images
Liverpool lack physicality but one of their reported January targets has no problem with getting stuck in to opponents
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has expressed concern about his former club’s lack of physicality as they struggle to defend their Premier League title - but one January target could go a long way to addressing the issue.
Arne Slot has admitted that he is not thinking about the title as he prepares his side for a return to action against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Ahead of the weekend, the Reds are eighth in the table with 18 points from their first 11 games. They are just two points off Chelsea in third but sit eight points behind Arsenal, who sit top of the table after 11 matches.
“If we’re being totally honest, in the games they've lost, they can't handle the physicality of the Premier League this season, they can't. When you think of teams that lack something, they normally let you down away from home against teams that have a physical game,” said Carragher of Liverpool.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes Semenyo can provide Slot’s side with more physicality. He said: “The one thing he gives you, which Liverpool don’t have, is physical presence. He’s electric, he’s quick, he’s great in the air, and he’s two-footed. It’s an amazing unique set of talents. If you’re at Liverpool and you’re looking at him for that price, I think it would be unusual if they weren’t in for him.”
And the statistics more than back up Murphy’s claim.
Semenyo has won 72 duels this campaign along with 26 aerial duels. Those stats blow away most of Liverpool’s frontline. Salah has won 26 duels and six in the air while Gakpo is the most physical with 56 duels won and 19 aerial duels.
Alexander Isak has won just six duels and four in the air but his minutes have been a lot more limited. Hugo Ekitike’s duels won sit at 29 with aerial duels numbering 11. Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz, has won 28 duels and just two in the air.
Semenyo’s physical presence could provide a massive boost to the Reds if they are able to get a deal done for him. Liverpool have struggled to live with the physicality of some teams, so adding a player who is able to front up to those challenges could help them out of their slump.
The Bournemouth man could also be seen as a long-term replacement for Salah and he will also not be at AFCON this winter as Ghana failed to qualify.
Continue Reading