Jurgen Klopp discussed signing Manchester United flop as Mohamed Salah replacement at Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp floated the idea of replacing Mohamed Salah with Manchester United winger Antony at Liverpool, according to reports.

Liverpool are currently in talks with Salah over a new contract, with his deal at Anfield due to expire at the end of the season.

Salah’s last contract renewal came in July 2022 when he signed a three-year deal worth in excess of £350,000 a week.

According to The Times, Liverpool’s negotiations over Salah’s new deal three years ago were far from smooth and an agreement looked ‘unlikely’ at various stages of discussions.

The report adds that Klopp was even considering replacements with Salah, with United winger Antony mentioned as one of the options.

However, United moved for the Brazil international eight weeks later as they signed him for an initial £82 million fee from Ajax.

Antony has struggled to make an impact since joining United, scoring just 12 goals in 87 appearances so far.

The 24-year-old was used sparingly by Erik ten Hag this season before the Dutchman’s sacking, starting just one game in the Carabao Cup and making another four appearances as a substitute across the Premier League and the Europa League.

The winger has been linked with a move away from United, with reports claiming that the club are open to selling him in the January window.

Gary Neville has even described Antony as one of the worst transfers in the club’s history alongside Casemiro, who joined in a £70m deal from Real Madrid in August 2022.

‘I think he [Ten Hag] oversaw two of the worst transfers Manchester United will ever have made in the signings of Casemiro and Antony,’ Neville said.

‘They were signed for £140-150m in a panic after the Brentford and Brighton losses. I hope I’m wrong, I hope Casemiro can do a great job for the club for four or five years and I hope Antony comes good.

‘But those signings are why United have had to go back into the transfer market and sign [Manuel] Ugarte and other players.

‘That was the ultimate in poor management from those above Erik ten Hag. That should have been one big fat no when those two players became available for those prices and those salaries.’

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