Mohamed Salah’s future has been cast into speculation after his bombshell rant on Arne Slot earlier this month, and Liverpool could opt to pursue Antoine Semenyo as a replacement come January
John Barnes has told Liverpool not to sign Antoine Semenyo in the January transfer window, also making bold claims that Mohamed Salah isn’t going anywhere. The ‘Egyptian King’ sent the sporting world into overdrive earlier this month with a scathing assessment of Arne Slot in the wake of the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Leeds United.
It came as the fourth Premier League match that the forward found himself benched for, with tensions between Salah and his head coach boiling over in the aftermath. Speaking to the press after the game, Salah explained that he has “no relationship” with Slot, while also making damning claims that he was being “thrown under the bus” by his club.
Elsewhere, the 33-year-old hinted that the weekend’s 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion may have marked his last in a Liverpool shirt, as he now jets off to the Africa Cup of Nations until January. However, club legend Barnes believes that he will stay put when the transfer window opens up next month, insisting that the rift between himself and his gaffer is mendable.
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Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football via BetMGM, the 62-year-old said: “Arne Slot left him out and he came down hard on him, which is the right thing you’ve got about the manager. But it’s not a question of Arne Slot or Mo going, both of them will stay.
“And if Mo goes, it’s because Mo wants to go to Saudi Arabia. So, you know, it’s not a question of Arne Slot forcing Mo out. You know, Mo is at an age now where, of course, he won’t necessarily improve and get much better. But he’s here, he can still have a top player.
“So I don’t see it as a problem. It’s modern football. Newcastle, you had with [Alexander] Isak when, you know, Isak wanted to leave Newcastle and the fans loved him and he left. And it’s not a question of Mo staying and Arne Slot going or Arne Slot going and Mo staying.
“That’s not the situation at all. Mo, our player, is going to go away to the Africa Cup of Nations. He’s got another year on his contract. I’m hoping for him to stay. Mo is not going to be here in three years’ time. I’m sure next year, if he stays, will be his last year. But it’s not about Mo, it’s about the club. So, yeah, they’ll resolve that situation.”
In recent months, Liverpool have been linked with making a move for Bournemouth sensation, Semenyo – who has set the Premier League alight this season with seven goals and three assists from 15 appearances. A number of clubs were interested in the forward this summer, only for him to sign a new deal with the Cherries which should keep him at the Vitality Stadium until the summer of 2030.
However, it was recently reported that the Ghanaian’s new deal includes a £65 million release clause, which any club can activate from January, regardless of whether the Cherries are looking to move him on. Along with Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal have all been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old.
Barnes, however, is not entirely convinced Liverpool should be splashing the cash for another attacker in the upcoming window. Having spent big on Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz in the summer, the forward line shouldn’t be the priority for the Reds’ recruitment next month.
“January is not a time to sign players,” Barnes continued. “And if you look at what we have, we haven’t got a problem scoring goals and creating chances. We’ve got Gakpo, we’ve got Isak, we’ve got Wirtz, we still have Mo. We have Ngumoha. That is not a problem for us.
READ MORE: Arne Slot confirms Liverpool injury boost for Tottenham trip but seven players unavailableREAD MORE: Arne Slot gives definitive Mo Salah verdict after Liverpool star’s statement on farewell
“So, of course, if you then feel that long-term you want him, but I don’t think January is a time to be signing players. So, and I don’t know from Manchester City’s point of view, he comes, he’s going to play ahead of the boys who they have there. So, of course, this is, once again, paper talk.
“But from that point of view, he’s a very, very good player. But from Liverpool’s perspective, the solution to the problem isn’t just signing players. We signed £400million pounds worth of players, didn’t we? So what, we’re going to sign some more now for £65m? And then if that doesn’t work, you’re going to sign for another one for £100m in January? No, we have a good enough squad.
“He’s a good player. The club have to decide. I think we have problems in other positions that we need to look at before Semenyo. But that’s not me not saying that he’s a good player and if he comes to Liverpool, he would be welcomed.
“But, yeah, I don’t know whether Man City are interested in him or Liverpool or anyone like that. But January, for me, is never a time to sign players.”
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