Antoine Semenyo would be have been a perfect replacement to Mohamed Salah - Ex-Liverpool forward

Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant believes the club missed a chance to secure Antoine Semenyo as a potential long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.

The Ghana forward is on the brink of joining Manchester City from AFC Bournemouth after the Premier League champions triggered his release clause.

Salah’s future at Anfield remains uncertain following public criticism of the club’s hierarchy and manager over limited playing time.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Pennant argued that Liverpool should have pursued Semenyo. The former England international described the 25-year-old as an ideal candidate to eventually succeed Salah.

"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."

This season, Semenyo has netted nine goals and provided three assists in 18 appearances for Bournemouth.