Reportedly, Liverpool were interested in signing Antony from Ajax before his transfer to United.
Liverpool is 5-2 down to Real Madrid in their last 16 Champions League tie. The side seems destined to exit the tournament after the second leg later this month. It has been a tough campaign for the Reds as the season hangs on finishing in the top four of the Premier League.
Achieving a top-four spot would offer some consolation. But achieving that it will be difficult. As they sit in the 6th position, they need to start picking up wins quickly. However, their bitter oponents Man United will be keen to thwart them on Sunday. After all, Antony knows a thing or two about doing that.
The 23-year-old Brazil international has divided opinion since his 85million transfer from Ajax last summer. He has scored big goals for ten Hag but consistency has been an issue.
Antony has scored six goals in 26 appearances. His showboating has also angered fans and pundits. For this reason, Red Devils icon Paul Scholes called him a “clown” after a trick went wrong in a Europa League tie last November.
Despite this, Antony remains one of the most admired youngsters in Europe. It is believed a number of clubs were interested in signing him. But his preference was to join his former Ajax managee Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Liverpool’s alleged interest in Antony emerged after he was sent off against Feyenoord last match. The Brazilian scored a late winner and took his shirt off. This earned him a yellow card. He then picked up another booking in the dying seconds of the game.
Antony’s actions left Rene van der Gijp bemused. He told Vadaag Inside, “suppose we are in the stands together as a scout for Man City or Liverpool…and we are looking at Antony. What do you think we should say when we come back on Monday”?
“We will not take that. You dont see a Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane and Mohamed Salah doing this. Then you can say, ‘He is young”. But it can also get crazier”.
Fellow ex-professional Wim Kieft added, “He is not that young anymore, because he has been doing this for two years. Such a boy cannot be calmed by a coach, in the end.
“Ten Hag will of course never say that Antony behaves like an idiot, but he thinks so. In general, this behaviour is addressed in the locker room. Then someone says, ‘Hey, what are you doing?'”
Antony will frustrate Ten Hag at times. There is no doubt about that. But when he is at his best, he is genuine match-winner. Liverpool will remain in the top-four race regardless of Sunday’s results. Yet, a humbling display from the Brazilian is not what Klopp needs right now. The Liverpool boss must ensure Antony’s box of tricks stays closed.