Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: match review
Antoine Semenyo has been linked with a host of clubs heading into the January transfer window.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has hailed in-demand Antoine Semenyo as ‘special’.
Semenyo has been one of the best wingers in England this season. He took his tally to seven goals in 15 games when scoring in Bournemouth’s 4-4 draw against United on Monday evening. Semenyo has also recorded three assists.
After the pulsating game, Red Devils head coach Amorim said: "It is a top team, top manager with a special player.” Then asked if his comment was about Semenyo, Amorim added: "Yes."
Amorim was then pressed on whether he would like to sign Semenyo. United reportedly held talks with the former Bristol City man in the summer but instead opted to sign Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha respectively.
"It is not that case,” said Amorim. “There are a lot of special players in the league. What I feel is that [Bournemouth have] a top manager, top team - I really like the team - and a top player, I think he is a special player."
Semenyo’s goal against United was his first in eight appearances. Some felt that his mini-blip in the final third could be down to the ongoing speculation over his future. However, Cherries boss insisted that was not the case.
"No, with Antoine, we cannot only analyse the numbers," Iraola said pre-United. "He's not our number nine—he's a winger. He gives us a lot of goals and a lot of assists, and he gives us chances normally. He was, I would say, the biggest threat against Chelsea (a 0-0 draw) the other day. But we demand from him a lot more than only the finishing part.
"Obviously, when you hear your name every day in the news, you have to deal with these situations. But I think he's committed and I haven't seen a lot of changes in him."
Will Liverpool sign Antoine Semenyo?
Liverpool may be putting the final touches to their January plans - if they want to sign anyone at all. Semenyo has been mooted as a potential long-term successor for Mo Salah, who is now aged 33. Salah’s recent public outburst towards the Reds and head coach Arne Slot has cast his future in doubt. However, Slot believes the issue has been resolved and that he wants Liverpool’s third-time top scorer to remain at Anfield.
But Liverpool will need a replacement sooner or later, while they are lacking options on the left flank after the sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich in the summer.
After spending circa £450 million in the most recent window, the Reds may feel they do not require another significant outlay or believe that bolstering options in central defence is more important if they are to enter the market.
However, if Liverpool feel that signing Semenyo is too good of an opportunity to pass up, they could make a move.
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