Man Utd ↔ Liverpool almost changed its fate, considering Antony as a substitute for Salah two years ago

Nov 20, 2024

ReutersYonhap News

One choice almost changed the fate of the two clubs.

Citing a report by the British daily `Daily Mail" on the 19th (local time), former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said he had in mind to recruit Antony (Manchester United) two years ago.

According to the 'The Times', Klopp placed Brazilian winger Antony, who was at the top of the list of replacements for the 'Anfield ace' Mohamed Salah, who was in talks with Liverpool to renew his contract in the summer of 2022.

As history tells us, Antony wore a Manchester United uniform with the second highest transfer fee (estimated at 95 million euros) in Manchester United history behind Paul Pogba.

Antony's recruitment is considered a fiasco so far. Wearing United's uniform, he scored only 17 offensive points in 87 games, taking an indelible toll on United.

Antony, who has played in just five games this season, has been pushed down to fourth place in the Manchester United wing rankings after Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Ahmad Diallo.

The Times said Liverpool was able to change its direction of recruitment at the time thanks to Mike Gordon, chairman of Panway Sports Group, the club's management agency.

Salah, who signed a three-year contract with Liverpool in the summer of 2022, showed off her strong performance by exploding 19 EPL goals and 12 assists in the 2022-2023 season and 18 goals and 10 assists in the 2023-2024 season. He has scored eight goals and six assists in 11 EPL games this season, showing off his 'all-time pace'.

Salah, who joined Liverpool in 2017, scored more than 200 goals (221 goals), including the Cup, and became Liverpool's best legend.

Like Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Salah, whose contract will end next summer, has been strongly connected to Saudi Arabian clubs with 'Oil Money' in the past year or two. If they fail to sign a contract within this season, they can leave the team on a free contract without a transfer fee.

The Daily Mail 'Factualize' even if Salah leaves Anfield next summer, there is little chance that Antony will be considered a candidate for Liverpool coach Arne Slot 'Factualize'

Antony is under contract with Manchester United until June 2027. According to local media, United's new manager Ruben Amorim trained Antony as a wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation.

In the summer of 2022, if Salah had left Liverpool and Antony had been recruited, what would have happened? Or could Antony have exploded Poten in Klopp's team?

yoonjinman@sportschosun.com