New Delhi: In the summer of 2022, a number of teams, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Barcelona, expressed interest in signing Antony after he made his debut at Ajax as a gifted winger. However, neither party has benefited much from Antony’s decision to follow Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford. The Brazilian was a true asset in that Ajax team where he scored 12 goals and had 10 assists in the 2021/22 season, the last full season he played for the Dutch giants before leaving for United. His dribbling and exciting skills on the pitch made him even more popular as he managed to live up-to the expectations that a usual fan sets from a young Brazilian talent.
Antony’s first season at Manchester United was somehow a mixture of ups and downs, where he scored eight goals in all competitions but had patches of disastrous performances under Erik Ten Hag. He followed that season up with further disappointing years at Old Trafford and it seemed like even a managerial change didn’t help his situation.
🗣️ Antony has revealed he almost replaced Mo Salah at Liverpool:
“It’s true… I was very close to signing for Liverpool, but nobody knows what would have happened.” pic.twitter.com/Xp318cPkny
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 28, 2025
Antony was close to signing for Liverpool
Antony had his breaking point under Ruben Amorim a few months ago after his ongoing troubles at United. He then departed the Red Devils on a six-month loan to Betis, where he has at last found his form. But now that he has admitted that he nearly joined Liverpool in 2022 as Salah’s replacement, the Brazilian has shown that his path could have been very different. The Reds no longer need the former Sao Paulo star after Salah signed a contract extension, despite Antony telling Marca that a deal was in the works.
“It’s true,” he said. “I was very close to signing for Liverpool, but nobody knows what would have happened. In the end, I went to Manchester United.”
Getting sent off against Getafe was Antony’s low point at Real Betis, and he was expected to miss Saturday’s match at Real Madrid. But after his red card was revoked, Antony said he was thrilled: “It was incredible for me, especially because of the importance of this match against Real Madrid. Also, we are playing at home and in front of our fans. I am very happy and ready for this match.”
Before deciding to sign with Manchester United, Antony, admitted that he was “very close” to joining Liverpool as a possible Mohamed Salah replacement. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
