The football world is full of intriguing “what-if” scenarios, and one such story involves Manchester United winger Antony and Liverpool’s pursuit of the Brazilian before Mohamed Salah committed his long-term future to Anfield in 2022. Antony’s agent, Junior Pedroso, recently disclosed that Liverpool had expressed genuine interest in signing the winger when Salah’s future was still uncertain. This revelation has reignited discussions about how the Brazilian international’s career might have taken a different trajectory had Liverpool managed to secure his services.
According to Pedroso, Liverpool explored alternative options to prepare for the possibility of losing Salah, who was negotiating a new deal at the time. Speaking in an interview with winwin.com, Pedroso confirmed the Reds’ interest, stating, “Yes, this story has a basis in truth. No (negotiations stopped as), Salah renewed his contract at the time with Liverpool, and that made Antony’s move to Liverpool impossible.” As Salah extended his stay, Antony’s potential move to Merseyside evaporated, leading to his eventual record-breaking £81.3 million transfer to Manchester United from Ajax later that summer.
The timing of these events was pivotal for Liverpool. In June 2022, Salah ended the speculation surrounding his future by signing a record-breaking contract extension while vacationing in Mykonos. This deal not only secured one of Liverpool’s most important players but also reaffirmed their ambition to remain at the top of English and European football. Since penning the extension, Salah has continued to deliver exceptional performances, amassing an impressive 65 goals across all competitions, including 27 in the Premier League. Under new management this season, Salah has already added 10 goals to his tally, bringing his total for the club to an astounding 221 since joining from Roma in 2017.
In contrast, Antony’s journey at Manchester United has been far from smooth. The Brazilian winger has struggled to justify his hefty price tag, managing just five goals and three assists in 56 Premier League appearances. This season, his challenges have been compounded by Manchester United’s struggles on the pitch. With the club enduring a poor start to the campaign, United recently replaced Erik ten Hag with Ruben Amorim in a bid to salvage their season. Antony has featured only twice in the current campaign, highlighting his difficulties in adapting to the Premier League and the challenges faced by United as a whole.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Liverpool’s focus on Salah in 2022 came amidst broader contract dilemmas that persist to this day. Both Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are now entering the final months of their contracts, raising fresh concerns for Liverpool’s management. These unresolved situations underline the delicate balance top clubs must strike between retaining key players and planning for the future.
Looking back, the Antony-to-Liverpool link raises compelling questions about how his career might have unfolded in a more stable and successful environment like Anfield. While Salah has cemented his legacy as one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players, Antony has yet to make a significant impact at Old Trafford. The tale of Liverpool’s interest in Antony not only highlights the unpredictability of transfer dealings but also underscores the fine margins that can shape the careers of footballers and the fortunes of the clubs they represent.