Liverpool saw two bids turned down for Yankuba Minteh during the summer transfer window, and one former Red is worried the failure to land the Brighton star could come back to bit Andoni Iraola
Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion is on the pitch before the Premier League match between Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, England, on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Liverpool saw two bids rejected for Yankuba Minteh in the transfer window(Image: Getty Images)
Stephen Warnock has warned Liverpool its failure to sign Yankuba Minteh could end up coming back to bit the club and Andoni Iraola.
Minteh was one of a number targets eyed up by the Reds during the summer transfer window as they looked to find an heir to Mohamed Salah on the right wing. Although a deal was eventually struck for Bradley Barcola, Liverpool would be unable to secure an out-and-out replacement for Salah.
It wasn’t for a want of trying though, with two bids having been rejected for Minteh, while an offer for Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr was also turned down.
Iraola has insisted that he wants his wingers to be able to play on both sides of the pitch in any case, but former Reds defender Warnock is worried about the failure to find a true right-winger.
“Ultimately, yes, it could cost them,” Warnock told TeamTalk.
“But one of the biggest issues is that, was there an adequate replacement that they thought could replicate what Salah was doing? I don’t think there is an adequate replacement because what Salah did was phenomenal.
Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr
Liverpool also saw a bid rejected for Ismaila Sarr in the summer
“Liverpool will have a valuation on players who they are willing to reach, and I found it quite strange that they decided to go in for Ismaila Sarr so late in the transfer window, with his age and his price. However, it is understandable why they didn’t pursue that move too much, probably down to Crystal Palace’s stance on him but also his age.”
Warnock added: “Yankuba Minteh is an interesting one because you wonder whether they’d have really pushed for that move had he been fully fit.
“The funny thing is that they have known for so long about Salah leaving, but they still haven’t found a replacement. I always think you should be looking two or three seasons ahead; with injuries, dips in form, you’ve always got to be thinking about who is next in line.
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“I just feel like Liverpool haven’t rectified that situation, and I find it absolutely incredible to be honest. I think they possibly will go back in for Minteh in January, but there might be someone else who pops up on the radar between now and then…”
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has already hinted that Minteh could yet be on the move in January, although the 22-year-old is currently out injured after picking up a knock in pre-season and undergoing surgery.
In any case, Warnock feels Liverpool could have made things much easier for itself had it challenged one of its other rivals for another target earlier in the year.
Ghana's forward #11 Antoine Semenyo reacts ahead of the international friendly football match between Wales and Ghana ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament, at Cardiff City Stadium, in Cardiff, on June 2, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images)
Warnock believes Liverpool should have tried to sign Antoine Semenyo in January(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“I found it really strange at the time that they didn’t buy [Antoine] Semenyo,” he said.
“For the price he was at, and yes, it was inflated, but he’s a proven Premier League player, an absolute powerhouse who scores goals, reliable, durable – he just ticks every single box.
“I didn’t think he’d do what he’s done at Man City so quickly; I thought it would have taken him some time to settle in, but I think Liverpool really missed out on one there.
“I can see them going back in for Minteh, but it really depends on his form between now and January once he gets himself back fit, but it’s going to be very difficult as that is such a short window.”