Liverpool legend believes Liverpool may be disappointed to miss out on a superstar who could replace Mo Salah
Arne Slott faces intense pressure at Liverpool (Image: James Gill – Danehouse, Getty Images)
Liverpool’s inability to sign Antoine Semenyo could be a major problem, according to former Reds star Jamie Redknapp. Manager Arne Slott faces increasing pressure at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah’s departure from the club expected to make the Dutch manager’s task even tougher next season.
The Reds have been linked with Semenyo for quite some time, with the talented winger seen by many as Salah’s ideal successor. However, Manchester City signed the forward from Bournemouth in January for £64m.
He became a huge hit for the Blues. In just 27 games, the Ghanaian international scored 11 goals and provided two assists, helping City win the League Cup and FA Cup double this season.
The Liverpool legend suggested the missed opportunity could have serious consequences. He believes a talent like Semenyo could have strengthened the Reds next season, thereby easing the burden on the slot.
“There will be a lot of changes at Liverpool and I think we need to trust the team to bring in the right players, but obviously the right winger will be key because we need to find a player to replace Mohamed Salah,” Redknapp said.
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“I think Semenyo was a big loss. I think Liverpool probably had a chance to get him at least once and then City jumped in because I think he would have been a superstar at Liverpool as well, so it was a bit of a shame.”
Slott has reportedly been given support to lead Liverpool into next season by the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group. Redknapp believes the Premier League title-winning manager needs support in the transfer market, but admitted the pressure on Slott will be immense from the first day of the new season.
Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo scores a goal in the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City (Image: Getty)
“I think we just have to trust the club,” Redknapp added. “Next year, Arne is going to need a bit of help because he knows the price of the ticket if Liverpool don’t get a good start and given what has happened this season, the pressure will be on very early. And Arne knows that, but my feeling is that he deserves a little more respect.”
Redknapp is no stranger to the problems surrounding Slott’s club and the dissatisfaction among supporters that threatens to erupt this season. But he stressed that multiple factors, including the tragic death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, will have a major impact on the Reds’ campaign.
“Liverpool fans probably understand this game (really) well in terms of their fan base,” he said. “For me, there is no better player and I completely understand their frustration with this year’s football. It hasn’t been good enough, it’s been too slow, it’s been mediocre, but you can also say there are a lot of mitigating circumstances and I don’t want to keep talking about the start of the season.
“But it was very difficult for people to go into that environment. We signed three or four new players and then obviously there was (the death) of Diogo Jota. And I don’t think you can underestimate how difficult it was for everyone to deal with that because it was a teammate, a loved one, someone who had just won the title.”
Jamie Redknapp believes Semenyo was a big loss for Liverpool (Image: PA)
The former England midfielder has partnered with Kellogg’s to run football camps this summer in partnership with the EFL, Manchester City, Celtic FC and Rangers FC. He believes camps give young people the opportunity to get outdoors and develop important life skills on the pitch.
“There are kids who are stuck at home doing nothing and just scrolling on their phones,” he says. “And it’s really not good for the brain. It’s not good for energy. It’s not good for anything. So I’m a big supporter of this. And when I got the opportunity to do it, I felt like it was a really great initiative.”
Jamie Redknapp has partnered with Kellogg to offer over 39,000 free Kellogg Football Camp places in partnership with the EFL, Manchester City, Celtic FC and Rangers FC. Parents can sign up using the QR code on their selected pack or at www.kelloggsfc.com. Terms and conditions apply.
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