Manchester United flop Antony has revealed he was very close to signing for rivals Liverpool before his ill-fated move to Old Trafford.
Estadio Deportivo cover comments from the Brazilian today made in an interview with Kooora, in which he reveals the failed switch to Liverpool earlier in his career.
The forward is currently on loan at Real Betis after being shipped out by Manchester United at the end of the January transfer window.
He is one of several big money signings in recent years that haven’t worked out, with the €95m paid to Ajax not proving to be money well spent as he’s manager just 12 goals and five assists in 96 games.
All parties are now keen to move on in the summer, but it seems things could have been very different, as he revealed he was actually close to joining Liverpool in the summer of 2022.
“It’s true, I was very close to signing with Liverpool, but nobody knows what would have happened,” he said.
“In the end, I went to Manchester United, I had great moments there and it was a good choice too.”
Liverpool, of course, perhaps saw the Brazilian as a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who had been linked with a big money move away from the club that year.
Instead, he remained at Anfield and has continued to build his legacy at the club, with this performances in their title push this season putting him in the bracket as best ever in the Premier League for some.
Antony certainly thinks so and admits he’s a big fan of the Egyptian and believes he’s in the running for the Ballon D’or this season.
“Salah is an incredible player, and he has been doing extraordinary things for a long time,” he added.
“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.”
