In a surprising revelation, Brazilian winger Antony Matheus dos Santos disclosed that he was “very close” to joining Liverpool as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah in the summer of 2022.
At the time, Salah’s future at Anfield was uncertain, with just one year left on his contract. Liverpool’s hierarchy had begun exploring their options, including the possibility of selling the Egyptian superstar for a significant fee and bringing in a new face to fill his boots.
Antony, then a rising star at Ajax, emerged as a top target. The 22-year-old had just finished his second full season in the Eredivisie, helping Ajax secure another league title. However, Salah’s decision to sign a bumper new contract with Liverpool changed everything.
Instead of moving to Merseyside, Antony ended up at Manchester United later that summer. Following the appointment of Erik ten Hag, his former Ajax boss, the Red Devils splashed a staggering £86 million to secure his services. Unfortunately, the move didn’t pan out as hoped. Antony struggled to make an impact during his two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford, eventually joining the Spanish side Real Betis on loan in January 2024.
Reflecting on what could have been, Antony told Kooora, “I was very close to signing for Liverpool, but you never know what would have happened. In the end, I went to Manchester and had great moments there, and that was a good choice as well.”
Despite his struggles, Antony has nothing but admiration for the man he almost replaced. Speaking about Salah, he said: “Salah is an amazing player and has been doing great things for a long time. He is a really great player. I don’t know if he is the best in the world currently, but he is definitely among the best and is a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or.”
Since joining Real Betis, Antony has shown glimpses of the talent that once made him one of Europe’s most sought-after wingers. In his first six games, he has scored three goals and provided two assists, helping the Spanish side climb the La Liga table.
