Liverpool had reportedly been tracking Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo for some time
Antoine Semenyo during Bournemouth's draw with Chelsea
Antoine Semenyo during Bournemouth's draw with Chelsea(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has claimed that missing out on Antoine Semenyo might not be as big of a blow for the Reds that some think. Semenyo appears to be on the verge of joining Manchester City after the Citizens activated the player's £65 million release clause with a medical set for Wednesday evening.
Liverpool had been linked with a swoop for the tricky winger for some time. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were also keen to sign the 25-year-old but it's Pep Guardiola who looks to have won the race for one of the Premier League's most in-demand stars.
Semenyo can play up front, on both wings and has scored 19 league goals across two seasons since joining Bournemouth from Bristol City for £10m in 2023. Yet Warnock isn't convinced that the Ghana international would adapt to life at a club with the stature of Liverpool.
“I think they eventually have to find someone on that right hand side,” Warnock told aceodds.com. “Semenyo has been mentioned as a player who potentially could be that player.”
Using Millos Kerkez's rocky start to life at Anfield, after he made a summer move from Bournemouth, as a comparison, he added: “There is a difference between playing for Bournemouth and Liverpool. We have seen it with Milos Kerkez as well, that was the same scenario.
“He is the perfect case to look at when it comes to the person and the pressure to be at Liverpool. I like Semenyo. I think he is a brilliant player and I think he is very capable.
“But do we know whether he could cope with playing in a Liverpool shirt and providing goals and assists week in week out?
“Before the match against Man United, he had played seven matches without scoring. If he went seven matches without scoring for Liverpool, things would be a lot different.
Stephen Warnock talking
Stephen Warnock has spoken on Antoine Semenyo's proposed move to Man City
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“There would be a pressure on him, especially with the money he would cost. It might be something he embraces, it might be a challenge that would excite him. Maybe he would enjoy that pressure and thrive under that pressure.
“I like him and he is physically outstanding. I think he suits the Premier League. One thing you have to look at when finding a new player is how quickly he can adapt to the Premier League, and he already knows the Premier League. Everything will just be about how he can adapt playing for Liverpool.”
Jermaine Jenas, however, claimed that Liverpool were the perfect fit Semenyo - a sentiment echoed by many disappointed Liverpool fans.
Bernardo Silva and Matheus Nunes of Manchester City put Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth under pressure during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on November 2, 2025 in Manchester, England
Semenyo looks set to join City(Image: 2025 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
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“Semenyo would be perfect for Liverpool,” he said to 10bet. “More than replacing a potential Mo Salah departure, I think it's addressing Luis Diaz's exit.
“I think Cody Gakpo is a little bit predictable at times and I think someone with a little bit more of a dynamic edge to them down that left-hand side would be good.”
Cherries manager Andoni Iraola admitted that the Spurs game could be Semenyo's “last game”, adding: “That is my personal opinion, but there is nothing agreed and nothing signed. It is my personal opinion as I understand the market and the noise but there is nothing agreed right now.”
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