Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The news that Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty on 114 of 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League has opened up a raft of possibilities for Liverpool.
With City’s punishment still yet to be decided upon, there is reportedly a chance of everything from multiple relegations to past titles being stripped from the Citizens.
If they are banished to the lower leagues, there will surely be a mass exodus of the club’s top players, meaning an unexpected fire sale could commence. As arguably the one remaining superstar at the Etihad Stadium, Erling Haaland would be in the highest demand, but after working with him so successfully at Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola would no doubt see Antoine Semenyo as a much more necessary addition.
Liverpool should be keeping tabs on Semenyo
Before he joined Man City last summer, there were strong rumours that Liverpool wanted to sign Semenyo as well. Coming off the back of a stunning start to the season under Iraola, the Ghanaian was reportedly pinpointed by the Reds as someone who could add what they needed on the wings.
Though they have since bought Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz, it remains probable that Liverpool add yet another wide player in 2027, as they continue to look for a long-term answer on the right.
Semenyo has more regularly played on the left since joining City in January, but, as he is showing he likes to do at Liverpool, Iraola preferred to rotate the 26-year-old across both wings for Bournemouth. As a genuinely two-footed player, Semenyo can do this more effectively than almost anyone in the Premier League.
It is difficult to gauge how much a transfer would cost right now, and it will likely depend heavily on the sanctions imposed on City, but having been signed for £65m, it is difficult to see how Semenyo could be sold for much cheaper than that.
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Nevertheless, that would still represent value to Liverpool, and given they were prepared to spend a similar amount of Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr, the Reds would surely be happy to hand Iraola the money to sign one of his most reliable stars if the chance opens up.
Who else should Liverpool be looking at?
Obviously, if there is a genuine opportunity to get Haaland, then Liverpool should be at least taking a look. However, the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and every big club across the continent would be pushing hard to get the Norwegian. Plus, with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike already at the club, how much do the Reds really need him?
They do have a need in other areas, though, most notably in midfield and defence. With issues currently arising at left-back especially, Josko Gvardiol would surely be high on many supporters’ wishlists. Gvardiol is a Liverpool fan, and if there is something that could be done there, it would certainly be worth exploring.
Meanwhile, Ayyoub Bouaddi was reportedly on Liverpool’s radar to strengthen the midfield before joining City this summer, and though the youngster could feasibly be one of those who decides to stay at the Etihad even if they do go down, that could be one to keep an eye on.
There are other players such as Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki and perhaps even Marc Guehi, who fans would like to see arrive at Liverpool.
But with City having already lost many of their best players of the Pep Guardiola era, it is Semenyo – and probably Gvardiol – who really stand out as the players who could really help Liverpool if push comes to shove.