Jurgen Klopp ‘wanted to replace Salah with ANTONY at Liverpool’

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was keen to sign Manchester United's £86million flop Antony as a replacement for Mohamed Salah, reports suggest.

Salah, whose imperious goalscoring form has rocketed Liverpool to the top of the Premier League after 11 games, is out of contract this summer and has yet to agree an extension at Anfield.

Speculation over the Egyptian's future – and that of fellow Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold – has been one of the main talking points on Merseyside this season, especially following Klopp's departure at the end of last season.

If Salah decides to leave Liverpool for a new chapter, a move abroad is considered the most likely scenario, with a move to Saudi Arabia widely touted.

His departure would mean a huge summer for Liverpool's leaders when it comes to his replacement, as Salah is already set to go down as one of the greatest Reds ever, with more than 200 goals for the club.

Two summers ago, when Liverpool were negotiating a new contract with Salah and his agent Ramy Abbas, Klopp had his eye on Antony as a potential replacement, according to The Times.

The newspaper claims the Brazilian was discussed as an 'option' during a period of real uncertainty over Salah's future.

Antony instead signed for Manchester United for an astronomical fee and teamed up with his former manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022.

His move has objectively been a disaster, with Antony scoring just 17 goals in 87 appearances since the move.

According to the outlet, the smart decision to move on from Antony fell to Mike Gordon, the president of Fenway Sports Group, who was responsible for the day-to-day management of the club at the time.

Needless to say, it is highly unlikely that Antony will be considered under Arne Slot this time around should Salah leave Anfield in the summer.

This season alone, the Man United winger has made just five appearances and started once, during the club's 7-0 win over Barnsley in September.

Since becoming the second most expensive player in Red Devils history after Paul Pogba, Antony has fallen down the pecking order behind Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo on the wing.

Despite reports linking Salah with Saudi Arabia, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has backed the Egyptian to stay at Anfield this summer.

The Al-Ettifaq boss, who is himself under immense pressure at the Saudi Pro League giants, wants Salah to stay at Anfield for 'a few more years' and praised the forward after another impressive start to the season.

Speaking on The Redmen TV podcast, the former Liverpool midfielder said: 'I hope we can get a few more years out of Mo Salah. I think his form and professionalism will allow him to perform for many years to come.

'So I hope he stays. “I hope we get more out of him, but I'm not surprised because those who are obsessed with the craft and have that level of talent, it's no surprise that the consistent level is always there.”

Salah, who hopes to guide Liverpool to their second Premier League title under Slot this season, travels to the south coast this weekend to take on Southampton at St Mary's.