Liverpool defeated Brighton & Hove Albion in a weekend that was dominated by talk of Mohamed Salah. This is nothing new, but the circumstances surrounding the Egyptian attacker certainly are.
The 33-year-old completed a lap around Anfield after the 2-0 win in the Premier League, much-needed after the issues throughout the campaign. He was the last one on the pitch, and emotion radiated from him.
But was that goodbye? It didn't quite feel like goodbye. Salah is heading off to the African Cup of Nations now, and he will be absent for around a month. After his inflammatory outburst at Leeds United one week ago, all of a Liverpool persuasion have been on tenterhooks as to whether the club legend will leave in bitter circumstances this winter.
Regardless, Liverpool could do with a new forward, having struggled for fluency and collective balance this season.
Liverpool's January transfer plans
FSG believe that one or two calculated signings this winter would go a long way toward setting Liverpool's problems to rights. And given the club's abject, error-prone defending, many are calling for a new centre-half.
But balance across the frontline is just as important, with Hugo Ekitike something of an outlier in hitting the ground running in front of goal this season. In July, the Frenchman, 23, left Eintracht and signed for Liverpool in a £69m deal, and he has scored ten goals so far.
Salah's ageing legs and the sale of Luis Diaz have impacted Slot's side, and FSG feel that Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo could provide the answer to a few of their problems.
According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United's interest in the Ghana international is getting stronger, but Liverpool remain the frontunner, with his preference being to join the Anfield side.
Antoine Semenyo scores for Bournemouth
Semenyo, 26, has been among the Premier League's most in-form forwards this season, and Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are also getting ready to present offers of their own but Semenyo prefers a switch to the current title holders. His £65m release clause goes live in a fortnight.
Why Semenyo could make Ekitike a superstar
Semenyo's alliance of strength and skill and potency in the final third has created a truly special Premier League star. His form this season has opened the doorway to a big-money move to an elite club, and pundit Chris Waddle has even called him "the best winger in the country".
antoine-semenyo-bournemouth
A direct and dynamic wideman, Semenyo has that rare skill of two-footedness, at ease on his right or his left. Three of his Premier League goals this season have been scored with his right foot, and the other three with his left.
His unpredictability and fleet-footedness could help take Ekitike, already in fine fettle, to the next level. As per Sofascore, Semenyo has averaged 1.6 dribbles and won 6.5 duels per top-flight fixture this season.
This could be the spark for Liverpool's new focal frontman, who is leaps and bounds above record signing Alexander Isak at this moment in time.
Ekitike Liverpool vs Brighton stats
Against Brighton on Saturday, Ekitike scored a brace, his second in as many league outings. Not just a pinpoint striker, he is mobile and intelligent and electric when on the ball. The complete package, and on his way to becoming the player Liverpool paid £125m for in a ready-made version in Isak.
By adding width and energy to Liverpool's flanks, Semenyo would create new pockets for Ekitike to shift into.
Already, the new recruit has made mincemeat of many of Liverpool's opponents, even against the backdrop of such drama and disharmony.
Perhaps his likeness to the summer-sold Diaz underlines sporting director Richard Hughes' ambitions with this one. He is a player who has the capacity to thrive as a starring member of Slot's title-challenging team, and teammate Justin Kluivert has called him a "world-class" player.
Premier League - Semenyo vs Diaz
Stats (per 90)
Goals scored
Assists
Shots taken
Shot-creating actions
Touches (att pen)
Pass completion (%)
Progressive passes
Progressive carries
Successful take-ons
Ball recoveries
Tackles + interceptions
Data via FBref
Ekitike, too, is cut from worthy cloth, and though it's been a tough season for the Anfield side, there are signs of a side stabalising, and this could ensure that Liverpool return to their best form.
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