FSG can fund Semenyo by selling Liverpool dud who left Carragher "baffled"
For much of the summer, it was all about Alexander Isak at Liverpool. Then, as the deadline approached, the next saga ramped up regarding Marc Guehi.
The England centre-back, having agonisingly missed out on a last-gasp Anfield switch, might still get his wish in 2026, although attention has shifted to yet another high-profile Premier League target of late.
With Mohamed Salah’s much-debated outburst having thrown his Liverpool future into doubt, the suggestion is that Arne Slot and co could turn to Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo in the New Year, with there an argument that the Ghanaian is needed even if the Egyptian genius doesn’t depart next month.
The word on the street is that Semenyo – who has a £65m release clause – has decided that he wants to make the move to Merseyside, be it in January or next summer.
Regardless of if or when the 25-year-old does arrive, such a deal appears a necessity, with every senior winger under threat right now back at Anfield.
Why Semenyo is now the 'best winger in the country'
It wasn’t too long ago that Liverpool’s wide men looked to be the envy of everyone, with Slot overseeing arguably Salah’s best season last time out, after the 33-year-old racked up 57 goals and assists across all competitions.
The nailed-on starter on the right flank, the Dutchman also conjured up consistency from both Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz off the left – albeit while operating centrally too – with the pair scoring 18 and 17 goals apiece in all, respectively.
With Diaz allowed to depart for Bayern Munich, and Salah having fallen from favour, however, the flanks have become a real problem in 2025/26, with Semenyo now taking on the mantle as arguably the “best winger in the country”, in the view of ex-England international, Chris Waddle.
That status is certainly justified considering that the ex-Bristol City man is currently the joint third-highest scorer in the top-flight right now, beaten by only two players, both out-and-out strikers, in the form of Igor Thiago (11) and Erling Haaland (17).
When throwing assists into the mix too, the Cherries star also ranks fourth for total goal involvements, again only edged out by Thiago, Haaland and Manchester United midfielder, Bruno Fernandes.
Lethal from either flank and on either foot, having scored four with his right and three with his left this season, as per Sofascore, the £65m man looks like the complete package, thus representing a real upgrade on Slot’s current options.
Liverpool star could be the casualty of Semenyo's signing
Following an almost £450m spend in the summer, albeit after a muted 2024, it remains to be seen whether the Reds will be able to invest significantly heading into 2026, not least with other areas of the pitch also in need of reinforcement.
Of course, funds could be made available if Salah were to depart, although those days of a potential £200m bid arriving appear to be long gone, amid suggestions the ageing star could even wish to see his contract terminated by mutual agreement.
With £13m signing Federico Chiesa also unlikely to fetch a significant sum, having started just one league game for the club to date, it might be Gakpo whom FSG opt to cash in on, should it come to that.
Now, as already stated, the Netherlands international was central to last season’s title charge, although his tally of 15 goals and assists in the league was actually still bettered by Semenyo, who chalked up 16.
Equally, while the latter man has kicked on with seven goals and four assists in 2025/26, Gakpo – now hampered by injury – appears to have regressed somewhat, registering just four goals and three assists.
With just one goal and one assist in his last seven league games, the 26-year-old is yet to prove he can truly hit those real heights at Premier League level, with last season the only time he has reached double figures for league goals since joining back in January 2023.
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Even from the start, there has been concern over his lack of blistering pace and physicality, with club legend Jamie Carragher left “baffled” by what he viewed as “not a typical Klopp signing”.
Gakpo’s Premier League record
Season
Games
Goals (Assists)
25/26
15
4 (3)
24/25
35
10 (5)
23/24
35
8 (5)
22/23
21
7 (3)
Total
106
29 (16)
Stats via Transfermarkt
Such fears have been somewhat eased since then, although there is the sense that Semenyo would fit the Liverpool mould more suitably, considering his blistering pace both in and out of possession.
Despite Gakpo having recently signed a new deal at Anfield, there were claims made over the summer that FSG would consider a sale if a suitable offer were to arrive, amid interest from Bayern.
Perhaps, should such interest be revived again in the new year, the Reds might this time decide to cash in on the £61m-rated dud, thus helping Slot to transition toward an even more exciting style, spearheaded by the electric Semenyo.
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