Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has expressed disappointment that the club did not pursue Antoine Semenyo as a potential long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Semenyo, the Ghana international, is close to a move to Manchester City from AFC Bournemouth after the Premier League champions triggered his release clause.
Salah’s future at Liverpool remains uncertain following public criticism of the club’s management and head coach over his limited playing time.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Pennant suggested Liverpool missed a key opportunity by not engaging with Semenyo. He described the 25-year-old as an ideal candidate to eventually succeed Salah at Anfield.
“As a Liverpool fan, I am very disappointed by Alexander Isak’s injury, which could keep him out for the whole season. With Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations and our prior knowledge of our relationship with him, will he leave?” he asked.
“So, for £65 million in this day and age, a player of Antoine Semenyo’s calibre is arguably a bargain.
“It would be really stupid for Liverpool not to be in the negotiations or to say we are also interested, and then to contact Bournemouth based on what I mentioned.
“Semenyo could be a long-term replacement for Salah, so when Salah decides to leave, whether in January or at the end of the season, you will have a player who has proven himself in the Premier League, and that is very important.”
Pennant concluded, “We have seen players come to this league and not succeed, but we know Simeone is capable of doing so.”
Semenyo has so far scored nine goals in 18 matches for Bournemouth, with three assists to his credit.
