After a disappointing Premier League stint with Manchester United that didn’t live up to the high price tag, Antony was loaned out to Real Betis in January. Yet, things could have unfolded very differently for the Brazilian winger.
For Brazilian winger Antony, the summer of 2022 was a watershed point in his career. Many European teams were interested in signing him after he won his second Eredivisie championship with Ajax. Then, his fortunes changed drastically when his former coach, Erik ten Hag, a record-breaking $107 million transfer to move him to Manchester United. After a disappointing Premier League stint that didn’t live up to the high price tag, he was loaned out to Real Betis in January.
Yet, things could have unfolded very differently for Antony. In a surprising revelation, the Brazilian admitted that he was on the verge of joining Liverpool instead—potentially as a successor to Mohamed Salah, whose future at Anfield was hanging in the balance at the time.
Liverpool’s hierarchy had serious concerns regarding the Egyptian superstar’s contract situation in 2022. With only one year remaining on his deal, the club explored the possibility of moving on from their star forward rather than risk losing him for free. That led them to identify Antony as a potential replacement should Salah depart.
In a recent interview, the 25-year-old shed light on the negotiations, confirming that the Reds’ interest was more than just speculation. “It’s true, I was very close to signing for Liverpool, but nobody knows what would have happened. In the end, I went to Manchester United, I had some great moments there, and it was a good choice too,” he told Kooora.
The Merseyside outfit eventually decided against making a move for Antony, as Salah ultimately committed his future to the club by signing a bumper new deal. Given the Egyptian’s sustained brilliance in a Reds shirt, it’s fair to say the club made the right decision.
Liverpool avoiding costly mistake?
At the time of Antony’s move to Old Trafford, expectations were high. Ten Hag pushed hard for the signing, believing he could be a game-changing addition to United’s attack. However, the Brazilian struggled to make a consistent impact in the Premier League, with critics pointing to his lack of end product and predictability on the ball.
His spell with the Red Devils was marred by inconsistent performances, and after two-and-a-half disappointing years, the club eventually sanctioned his loan move to Real Betis this January. Now, with three goals and two assists in six matches, Antony appears to be regaining his confidence in Spain.
Antony himself had nothing but praise for Salah when asked about the player he nearly replaced. “Salah is an incredible player, and he has been doing extraordinary things for a long time. He is an exceptional footballer. I don’t know if he is the best in the world at the moment, but he is certainly among the best and is seriously competing for the Ballon d’Or,” he added.
