Antonio risks angering boss by calling team-mate perfect Salah replacement

Salah trains with Liverpool ahead of Toulouse clash

West Ham star Michail Antonio has risked angering his manager David Moyes after calling Hammers team-mate Jarrod Bowen the “perfect replacement” for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool. Salah has been in scintillating form for the Merseyside giants once again this season but has been tipped to depart Anfield next year, with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad desperate to get their hands on the Egyptian after failing in a transfer pursuit over the summer.

Like Salah, Bowen has started the campaign in fine form and has already racked-up six goals and an assist in nine Premier League matches. The 26-year-old was even rewarded with a new long-term contract earlier this month that runs until 2030.

And, addressing the winger’s form on the Footballer’s Football podcast, Antonio said: “He is a bagsman. Everything he is touching is turning to gold right now. But hey, it’s going to cost a lot of dough – man has just signed a seven-year deal.

“The money you get from Salah, you are going to have to give it to us. He’s quality, left-footed and plays on the right-hand side like Mo Salah, so he is the perfect replacement. But hey, it’s not going to be easy to get him out of here. It won’t be easy because that’s a seven-year contract man has just signed.”

Read more… Chelsea may rue Boehly failure as star shines for Champions League minnows

Bowen has been linked with Liverpool in the past after starring for West Ham in the Premier League and in Europe. And if the Reds decide to cash in on Salah, they could have some serious money to spend next summer.

Liverpool were reportedly offered £215million in exchange for Salah during the final week of the Saudi Arabian transfer window in early September but held firm under the weight of the enormous financial package on offer. However, next summer the former Chelsea player will turn 32 and will have just one year remaining on his contract. So Anfield chiefs may decide the player is dispensable if another huge offer comes in. And Bowen could well be on the club’s shortlist of replacements.

• Advert-free experience without interruptions.
• Rocket-fast speedy loading pages.
• Exclusive & Unlimited access to all our content.

Don’t miss…
Man Utd’s Jadon Sancho showed true colours after being left out of Bayern trip[DETAILS]
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag left red-faced by Harry Maguire comments[COMMENT]
Agbonlahor savages Man Utd naming only two players in combined Aston Villa XI[QUOTES]

“This means everything to me,” Bowen said after putting pen-to-paper on his new deal. “When I was a little boy, I just wanted to play football at the highest level, and this club gave me the opportunity when no one else wanted to.

“Without this club, I wouldn’t have played for my country and I wouldn’t have scored the winning goal in a European final. So I think it’s only fair that I repay that faith. I want to stay here and I want to stay here for the rest of my career. This is a sign of that. It’s been a long time and there’s been a lot of talk, but it’s finally over the line.”

Source: Read Full Article