How Antony nearly replaced Mohamed Salah at Liverpool

A report has revealed how Antony came under consideration by former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah before his last contract extension.

Salah entered the final year of his contract in the summer of 2022 and there was significant uncertainty about his future after months of uncomfortable negotiations, only for a club-record deal to eventually be agreed.

As revealed by The Times, Klopp grew so concerned by the prospect of losing Salah two years ago that he began looking for possible replacements, with the former boss setting his sights on Antony.

At the time, Antony was one of the world's most intriguing young wingers. He had dazzled at Ajax under former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who made it clear that he wanted to reunite with the Brazilian at Old Trafford.

United's negotiations over Antony were long and often frustrating for everyone involved but, while there was undoubtedly enough time for Liverpool to join the race for his signature, the Anfield outfit ultimately did not need to as Salah inked his current contract and put an end to the speculation.

Antony eventually secured his move to United that summer for a whopping £82m - a fee which has been rewarded with 12 goals and five assists in 87 games. Salah, by comparison, has recorded 65 goals and 40 assists since the start of the 2022/23 season.

These days, Antony has been heavily linked with a move away from United, whereas Salah is once again locked in contract negotiations as he approaches the final six months of his current deal.

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