Liverpool could sign a bigger talent than Semenyo in “world-class” £70m ace
Antoine Semenyo is the hottest name in the Premier League, and it’s approaching kitchen-sink time for Liverpool in the race to sign him from Bournemouth.
If it is a race, then Liverpool have lagged behind, but only because they decided to slow things down as Manchester City ramped up the gas. Senior sources at Sky Sports felt that Liverpool stood a strong chance of signing the Ghanaian had they only initiated formal talks.
There’s still time, and recent reports suggest Liverpool remain keen, but Pep Guardiola’s side are circling as the January transfer window looms large, and it looks like they will win the race.
Arne Slot could do with a direct wide forward, though.
Liverpool looking at Semenyo alternatives
Luis Diaz has been in fine fettle for Bayern Munich this season, having joined the Germans from Liverpool in a £65.5m deal in August.
The Colombian’s departure has only accentuated Cody Gakpo’s limitations. Gakpo knows how to score a goal and create a chance, but in spite of this, he has been one-dimensional and predictable down Liverpool’s left flank, struggling for connections with newbies Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez.
Semenyo would be the perfect addition, but perhaps Liverpool are holding out for another elite winger, such as Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.
Rodrygo’s name has been bandied about in transfer discussions for some time now, and Liverpool have been regularly linked. In fact, it was reported at the start of December that the £70m-rated Brazilian would be keen on the move to Merseyside.
Given his tenuous relationship with the powers that be at Los Blancos, Liverpool could get this one over the line if they push hard enough, and Rodrygo’s track record suggests they would get bang for their buck.
Why Rodrygo is better than Semenyo
Rodrygo has endured the roughest spell of his senior career over the past year, falling by the wayside under Carlo Ancelotti last season and failing to pick himself back up this year, with Xabi Alonso at the helm.
But the two-time Champions League winner has scored 70 goals and supplied 55 assists for Real across his career, clinching two goals and tw
Former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric even hailed him as a “world-class superstar”, with his physicality and dynamism underscoring his skill as one of the world’s finest.
Semenyo has been riding the crest of a wave in Andoni Iraola’s Cherries system, but Liverpool would land a star of a different calibre in Rodrygo, who is a tailor-made superstar with a two-footed quality to match Semenyo.
Subscribe for expert Premier League transfer analysis
Craving clearer takes on the Semenyo vs Rodrygo transfer debate and Liverpool’s options? Subscribe to the newsletter for in-depth transfer analysis, data-backed comparisons, and expert Premier League transfer coverage you can trust.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
It’s a no-brainer. After all, the players’ respective statistics over the past year work in Rodrygo’s favour, given he has been at his lowest ebb and yet is still maintaining respectable levels.
|
Rodrygo vs Semenyo (past 12 months) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (per 90) |
Rodrygo |
Semenyo |
|
Goals scored |
0.31 |
0.41 |
|
Assists |
0.19 |
0.19 |
|
Shots taken |
2.80 |
2.60 |
|
Shot-creating actions |
4.94 |
3.57 |
|
Touches (att pen) |
6.40 |
4.84 |
|
Pass completion (%) |
85.4 |
72.9 |
|
Progressive passes |
4.10 |
3.40 |
|
Progressive carries |
5.79 |
3.65 |
|
Successful take-ons |
2.34 |
1.60 |
|
Ball recoveries |
4.02 |
4.20 |
|
Tackles + interceptions |
2.07 |
1.82 |
|
Data via FBref |
||
As Mohamed Salah’s potential Anfield exit looms in the background, the need to sign an out-and-out winger grows stronger for FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes.
Liverpool need to get this one over the line. Rodrygo has been there, done that – and he’s still got so much to give, two years Semenyo’s junior and having already conquered Europe’s tallest mountains.
Would Rodrygo be able to translate his finest form to the Premier League theatre? That’s anyone’s guess. However, he hasn’t exactly struggled against English opponents in the past, and this wealth of top-level experience could help him make the same kind of impact that Semenyo is touted to make when he completes his big move.
Wirtz will make him "world-class": Liverpool ready to push for £65m star
Liverpool are ready to react to opportunities during the January transfer market.
By
Angus Sinclair
