Liverpool have had a pretty successful transfer record in recent years, but there are always going to be players who slip through the cracks. Sometimes, those players end up strengthening a direct rival.
While much of the focus around Liverpool is already on the upcoming summer window, Steven Gerrard is still looking back at January with some frustration.
Ahead of the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Southampton, the former Liverpool captain suggested that the Reds missed out badly by failing to sign Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo. Both players ended up at City instead, and Gerrard sees that as a real shame given how well they are doing at their new club.
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Steven Gerrard thinks Liverpool made a mistake with Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo
Liverpool were linked with Guehi and Semenyo before Manchester City eventually got the deals done. Guehi would have addressed a clear need at centre-back, while Semenyo would have added pace, power and goal threat in the front line — a long-term solution to the loss of Mohamed Salah.
Both players also arrived at City at a stage in their careers where they can make an immediate impact now and still improve further. Gerrard certainly thinks Liverpool missed a big opportunity.
Covering the FA Cup semi-final between City and Southampton on TNT Sports, he said: “They should be playing for Liverpool, so that hurts even more. We were linked with two of those players and that would have made a big difference to Liverpool.
“But I’ve said it before on record. Two top, top players. And for the price that they got them in as well. One on a free. One was, you know, £60 million. In today’s market, they’re two bargains. They’re two bargains.
Antoine Semenyo runs with the ball while being marked by Marc Guehi during Bournemouth's Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
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“Quality players, experienced, ready to go into the prime years of their career. International-level players. And what they’ve done is they’ve just helped kick City on at the right time.”
City already looked strong, but adding two Premier League-ready players in key areas has given them another push at exactly the right time.
Lessons for FSG
The frustrating thing from a Liverpool perspective is that these were not wild, impossible deals. They were gettable players, in positions they either needed then or will need very soon.
That has to be the lesson going into the summer. FSG do not need to chase every big name on the market, but when the right player is there, at the right age, with the right profile, they cannot afford to stand still.
You can only pick ONE player for Liverpool to sign this summer, who is it?
Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all…
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watching on during the Reds' Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones
There is plenty to do when the window opens. The key now is making sure the next Guehi or Semenyo doesn’t end up helping someone else.
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