Former Manchester United winger Antony claims he could have joined Liverpool to replace Mohamed Salah
Former Manchester United winger Antony claims he came close to joining Liverpool and replace Mo Salah.
Former Manchester United winger Antony claims he came close to joining Liverpool and replace Mo Salah(Image: PA Wire)
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Manchester United's decision to sign Antony has faced considerable scrutiny over the years, but the Brazilian has now revealed that Liverpool were also competing for his services before his switch to Old Trafford.
The winger has enjoyed one of the finest campaigns of his career at Real Betis, recording 14 goals and 10 assists in 46 outings across all competitions, and has restored his standing following a challenging period at United.
In an interview relayed by ESPN Brazil, Antony looked back on his 2022 transfer from Ajax to England, disclosing that, while Erik ten Hag and United eventually won his signature, they were not the only Premier League club involved.
Antony has claimed that Liverpool submitted a firm offer for his services before he committed to joining United. The Brazilian stated that at the time, then-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was exploring attacking options amid doubt surrounding Mohamed Salah's future, with the Egyptian striker engaged in contract discussions.
According to Antony, Liverpool were actively making contingency plans for a potential exit, placing themselves in contention before United finalised the transfer. "When I went to Manchester United, I had a proposal from Liverpool, from Klopp, on the table.
"It was also very good. Salah was negotiating a departure, but he ended up staying. Then the manager called me. The name of Manchester United carries weight."
Former Manchester United winger Antony claims he came close to joining Liverpool.
Former Manchester United winger Antony claims he came close to joining Liverpool.(Image: (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images))
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That information carries greater importance when viewed in retrospect. Salah eventually pledged his loyalty to Liverpool by penning a new deal and remaining the club's primary attacking focal point, while Antony instead followed Ten Hag to Old Trafford in a transfer worth approximately £82 million.
Salah would go on to remain on Merseyside for a further four years, claiming another Premier League crown amongst other accolades. He netted 257 goals in 442 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool, though a tally of merely 12 goals in 41 matches this season indicated a drop-off in productivity for the Egypt international.
Antony never truly lived up to his price tag and left United on a permanent deal last summer, but hit out at a 'lack of respect' during his time at Old Trafford.
"Look, I'm not the kind of guy who gets involved in controversies, who names people, in fact, I won't mention anyone's name here," he told ESPN Brazil.
"But I think there was a bit of a lack of respect there, even a bit of rudeness too, with no one giving you a good morning, a good afternoon.
"Not even that. But, anyway, that's in the past, I won't give much importance to these things. Now I'm here, at Betis, I'm living here, that's the most important thing for me."