Sliding doors moment saw Antony join Man Utd instead of Liverpool after Klopp looked to sign him as Salah replacement
LIVERPOOL almost moved to sign Manchester United flop Antony as a replacement for Mo Salah.
The pair both play in the same position at two of the country’s biggest teams.
But while one cost an eye-watering amount of money, the other has bagged an incredible amount of goals.
Salah was deemed pricey at £36million when he joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017.
The Egyptian had previously struggled in England with Chelsea.
But an amazing debut season saw Salah immediately silence the doubters with 44 goals in all competitions.
He has since gone on to net 221 goals in 366 games for Liverpool.
But The Times claims Salah nearly left Anfield two summers ago.
The forward’s contract was nearing its end and Liverpool were struggling to meet his demands.
It’s reckoned then-Reds boss Jurgen Klopp sounded out Ajax’s Brazilian winger Antony as Salah’s replacement.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
Yet a move never occurred after Liverpool eventually stumped up the cash required to extend their star man’s deal.
The decision, taken by Fenway Sports Group’s president Mike Gordon, proved to be an extremely astute one.
Salah has netted an incredible 65 goals since penning his new contract.
While in the same time, Antony has managed a return of just 12.
He entered the world of English football the same summer Salah signed on after Man United came calling.
Erik ten Hag paid £88m to be reunited with his old Ajax star.
But Antony’s time in the Premier League has been full of struggles.
He has featured in just two of United’s 11 league games this season.
And Antony’s future is likely to become even less clear under new manager Ruben Amorim, who does not play with natural wingers in his 3-4-3 system.