Liverpool, England – Brazilian forward Antony has dropped a bombshell revelation about his transfer history, confirming that he came tantalizingly close to joining Liverpool to replace Mohamed Salah before ultimately signing with Manchester United in 2022. The 25-year-old winger, currently struggling to find consistent form at Old Trafford, shared the surprising details in an interview with Spanish outlet *Marca* on February 28, 2025, shedding light on a transfer saga that could have altered the landscape of the Premier League.

Antony, who emerged as a standout talent at Ajax under Erik ten Hag, attracted significant interest from Europe’s elite clubs during the summer of 2022. At the time, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Barcelona were all reportedly in the race to sign the Brazilian speedster, known for his flair and dribbling ability. However, Liverpool’s interest in Antony was particularly notable as they considered him a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, whose contract situation at the time was a topic of intense speculation. salah’s future remained uncertain until he signed a new deal later that year, but the Reds had evidently been preparing for all possibilities.

In his interview with *Marca*, Antony opened up about the near-miss with Liverpool, revealing how close he came to donning the famous red jersey. “I was very close to signing with Liverpool, but no one knows what might happen,” Antony admitted. “In the end, I went to Manchester United. I’ve had some great moments there. It was also a good choice.”

Antony also took the opportunity to praise Mohamed Salah, acknowledging the Egyptian’s status as one of the world’s elite players. “Mohamed Salah is a world-class player,” Antony said. “He’s among the best who can compete for the Ballon d’Or title.” Salah, who leads the Premier League in goals and assists in the 2024/25 season with 25 goals and 16 assists, has been a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success, and Antony’s comments reflect the high regard in which he holds the 32-year-old star.

Despite the hype surrounding his £86 million transfer to Manchester United—a record fee for a Dutch Eredivisie player—Antony has struggled to meet expectations at Old Trafford. Under Erik ten Hag, who also moved from Ajax to United in 2022, Antony has faced criticism for his lack of end product, managing only 16 goals and 11 assists in 96 appearances across all competitions as of March 2025. His inconsistent performances have led to scrutiny, with Ten Hag dropping him from the starting lineup multiple times this season, as reported by *The Athletic*. Meanwhile, Salah has continued to thrive at Liverpool, quashing any need for a replacement by signing a contract extension and maintaining his status as one of the league’s top players.

The revelation of Liverpool’s interest in Antony has sparked discussions among fans on social media platforms like X, with many reflecting on what might have been. “Antony replacing Salah would’ve been a disaster,” one Liverpool supporter tweeted, while another wrote, “Thank goodness we kept Mo—Antony hasn’t lived up to the hype at United.” Others expressed sympathy for Antony, noting the immense pressure of following in Salah’s footsteps at Anfield.

As Liverpool prepare for a crucial Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain, the focus remains on their current squad, with Salah leading the charge. For Antony, the admission of a near-move to Merseyside serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football transfers—and the fine margins that can define a player’s career trajectory. Whether he can turn his fortunes around at Manchester United remains to be seen, but for now, Liverpool fans are breathing a sigh of relief that their Egyptian King stayed put.