Journalist throws Liverpool’s potential £65m January signing into doubt
Liverpool’s season has tilted from the high of a title-winning debut for Arne Slot to a worrying slide that has seen nine defeats in 12 across competitions. Twelve matches into the new Premier League campaign, the Reds sit 12th in the table and are out of the Carabao Cup. The chatter around January reinforcements grows louder every week and much of that debate now centres on Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, who is available for £65m due to a release clause. Only Erling Haaland has more goal contributions in the division and that output naturally pushes his name into the conversation.
Yet according to David Lynch, who broke down the situation superbly on Anfield Index, the logic behind an approach is far from convincing.
Semenyo’s Surge and the £65m Dilemma
Semenyo’s numbers are strong and his impact undeniable, but Lynch was clear that Liverpool’s issues go deeper than one attacking addition. In his words, “I still get the vibe that the link comes from Bournemouth because I don’t think Semenyo fixes any of Liverpool’s problems.” That is a blunt but honest assessment, highlighting the disconnect between statistical excitement and practical squad building.
Lynch added, “I just don’t think it would be a smart signing at all. We say that it might make the press a bit better but I don’t think that it’s a personnel issue, it’s a coaching issue.” This lands squarely in the current narrative around Slot. The manager who lifted the Premier League trophy months ago is now fighting to halt a dramatic dip in confidence and structure. Recruitment can help, but only if it aligns with tactical need rather than panic.
What Liverpool Should Prioritise in January
The argument that Semenyo would add numbers without transforming Liverpool’s core remains strong. Lynch said, “I think if Liverpool sign another forward, I would want it to be a smash hit who comes into the side and is a guaranteed starter.” That kind of description reads like a blueprint for a top tier attacker rather than a £65m gamble.
He did acknowledge that “Semenyo could be a potential upgrade on Federico Chiesa in the squad, but not much more than that.” It is an intriguing comparison because it frames Semenyo as a depth piece rather than a player who immediately elevates the XI. Liverpool already have a squad tilted towards options rather than certainties and adding another wide forward who may not improve the system could repeat past mistakes.
Lynch went further, noting, “I don’t think he’ll get better either. I think we’re seeing the peak of his powers now.” That assessment matters because £65m for a player at his peak leaves little room for long term development or resale logic, something Liverpool historically value.
Momentum, Market Reality and Slot’s Next Step
The financial reality is also part of the narrative. Bournemouth know the clause puts them in a favourable position and, as Lynch explained, “I haven’t been given much encouragement that Liverpool will move for him and it makes sense to me that Bournemouth are desperate to get £65m for him now rather than lose him for less in the summer.”
Liverpool’s season may require a spark but paying a premium for a player who does not address the structural issues behind their decline looks unlikely. Slot needs clarity in his system and sharper coaching execution before a forward becomes the main priority.
