Liverpool ‘make call’ to sign ‘world class’ star

Liverpool have had a tough January so far, with problems both on and off the pitch.

Two draws against Leeds and Fulham earlier this month did little to repair Arne Slott’s tarnished reputation at Anfield, with the Reds currently 14 points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League.

There are even rumors that Liverpool are preparing Xabi Alonso to replace the declining Dutchman.

Furthermore, barring a late development in the story mentioned by Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp, it also looks likely that Liverpool will lose out on Antoine Semenyo’s £65m contract, with the Ghanaian side closing in on Manchester City’s Sky Blue side.

A medical has reportedly confirmed Semenyo’s move from AFC Bournemouth to the Etihad as Liverpool shift their focus to other targets…

Liverpool make call to sign world-class star

Realistically, there could be some dramatic, brinkmanship moments in the transfer window, but Liverpool appear to have fallen short of securing Semenyo’s coveted signature.

But that doesn’t mean they don’t have other transfer targets in mind, with a £100m move for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleva said to be on their radar.

Alongside talk of Valeva coming to Anfield, there are also persistent rumors that Liverpool could make a swoop for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehy in January.

Admittedly, this appears to be another move with Man City in the driver’s seat, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said via his YouTube channel that Liverpool made a “phone call” this month to secure a late deal for the defender they almost brought back in the summer.

Romano said: “The door is not closed for Marc Gehi to leave in January. Man City are working on it, Man City are in talks with Crystal Palace for Marc Gehi, but it’s not something that’s been set in stone. It’s not something that’s been agreed.”

“Don’t forget about Bayern’s call-up. And don’t forget about Liverpool’s call-up. The situation revolves around Marc Göch, as Bayern and Liverpool are eyeing this opportunity in the summer transfer window.”

Guehi’s contract expires this summer and he is likely to leave on a free transfer, but there is also the possibility that he could move for a fee in January, with previous reports pegging it at around £35m.

Why Guehi is a better buy than Semenyo

Liverpool have been plagued by inefficient attacking performances of late, with former Reds legend Jamie Carragher saying the underwhelming side had “certainly lost something in terms of excitement” after the Merseyside giants’ 0-0 draw at Leeds United.

Semenyo may be able to lend a helping hand here. The £65m-rated forward has scored up to 10 goals in the Premier League this season and Semenyo could come to the rescue now that he has ended a very impressive stay at the Cherries with his latest win against Tottenham Hotspur.

That’s why Redknapp is desperate for Liverpool to pull off a last-minute hijacking, with Sky Sports pundit hailing Semenyo as a “match-winner” who can transform the Reds’ disappointing attack.

Still, in the slot they have players like Hugo Ekitike leading the line, who has already scored eight goals in the Premier League.

Furthermore, spending the extravagant sum of £65m for Semenyo’s services could be seen as a risk despite his current form on the south coast. Considering he didn’t instantly set the world on fire at Bournemouth, scoring just one goal in his debut season.

Having already spent big on signings such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, Liverpool may aim to be more strategic with their signings this January. Gehi arrives on a reduced contract and stands out as a much better immediate acquisition candidate than Semenyo.

Guehi has hardly made a mistake since joining Palace in 2021, with the FA Cup-winning captain now an easy-to-see centre-back with 11 goals and eight assists and would look at home alongside Virgil van Dijk at Anfield.

Liverpool’s defensive woes have been very evident this season, with Ibrahima Konate being described as a “nightmare” by The Athletic’s James Pearce at key points this season, but this could be a deal that instantly solves these ongoing issues, giving Guehi up to seven clean sheets over the course of the Premier League season as it unfolds.

To add context, even Van Dijk has one less clean sheet this season despite being at the heart of Merseyside’s defence, and Gehi has been described by academy coach David Matthews as a “world class” operator for the Eagles.

Semenyo himself has rightly been showered with praise, but at £35m, or even a free transfer, as opposed to the City-bound attacker’s £65m valuation, Liverpool would have secured an insane deal that would make them an even better buy for the much-talked-about forward.