Liverpool know they need to improve the situation when club football resumes this weekend.
The final international break of the calendar year was a welcome respite for Arne Slott and others following a disastrous 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, but any hopes of short-term improvement ended and the champions were handed five defeats in six Premier League games.
As for things, sure. Liverpool were outplayed and beaten, with a common theme throughout the winter months of not allowing any more breakthroughs, and the Reds sitting in eighth place, already far behind leaders Arsenal.
Despite a summer of record spending, Liverpool need more attacking inspiration from outside.
It was a mistake not to directly replace Luis Diaz, who left for Bayern Munich for £66.5 million, but sporting director Richard Hughes is now trying to put that right.
Liverpool aim to upgrade Semenyo
This week it was revealed that Bournemouth keeper Antoine Semenyo has a £65m release clause attached to his contract. The versatile Ghanaian forward’s buyout options will be further reduced at the end of the campaign.
Liverpool are among the frontrunners to sign him, but Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested.
Competition has become intense, with sources in Spain claiming that Liverpool have named a replacement in Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior who could indeed prove an upgrade to Semenho.
The 25-year-old is currently in the penultimate year of his contract with Los Blancos, with no renewal in sight, making suitors such as Liverpool smell blood, with the Reds thought to be willing to make an offer of £88m to lure him away from Spain.
Vinicius Jr. is one of the best forwards in the world and it would certainly be worth pursuing Semenyo, even if it means paying more.
Comparison of Vinicius Junior and Semenyo in 2025/26
Semenyo is a special athlete and has become one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League this season under Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola.
But Vinicius Junior is one of the best players in the world and murmurs of discontent at Real Madrid suggest a move to a club like Liverpool may not be as far-fetched as it seems.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti said his protégé was “unstoppable” in A-matches, and with 111 goals and 87 assists in 338 top-flight games for Real Madrid, this certainly seems to be the case.
He is a man made for big moments, having successfully scored in two Champions League finals in Madrid.
Although he is better than a player like Semenyo, blessed with such athleticism, speed and power on both wings, Vini hasn’t demonstrated elite-level performance since he burst onto the scene as a teenager.
It wouldn’t be unfair to say that Real Madrid’s mercurial winger has been in poor form this season, but he has still maintained a level that would be considered elite by most other players.
League Stats 25/26 – Semenho vs Vinicius Jr. | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per match) | Semenyo | Vinny Jr. |
Match (start) | 11(11) | 12(10) |
the goal | 6 | 5 |
assist | 3 | 4 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 2.1 (1.3) | 2.8(1.3) |
missed a big opportunity | 5 | 5 |
exact path | 19.8 (77%) | 28.4 (82%) |
Opportunities created* | 1.0 | 2.3 |
It was successful. dribble* | 1.9 | 2.5 |
Tackle* | 1.6 | 1.3 |
Win a duel* | 6.5 | 6.0 |
Data via Sofascore | ||
It’s Vinicius Jr. we’re talking about. He’s a player Liverpool are very familiar with.
The South American, who has been described as “the best player in the world” by his Real teammate Jude Bellingham, will brighten up the Premier League and bring a new dimension to Liverpool’s side in the slot.
Semenyo would be a great addition, but Vinicius Jr. is on a completely different level.
Bad for Wirtz: Liverpool have serious plans to sign future big-money superstar
Liverpool are looking for ways to add creativity to Arne Slott’s squad.
