Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has admitted missing out on two Manchester City stars still “hurts” as Mohamed Salah’s former teammate says he wants to apologise to the Egyptian after denying him a perfect send off.
The Reds have been defined by their transfer business this season, twice breaking the British record in a jaw dropping squad overhaul last summer.
But Gerrard reckons the ones that got away? They’re the real killer.
GERRARD STILL FUMING OVER GUEHI AND SEMENYO
Let’s be honest, Liverpool’s season has been a rollercoaster. Arne Slot’s men leapfrogged Aston Villa into fourth place with that 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend, effectively sealing Champions League football.
But Gerrard is still mulling over what might have been.
Speaking to TNT Sports, the 45 year old didn’t hold back. Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo both heavily linked with moves to Anfield, ended up at Manchester City instead. And it stings.
“They should be playing for Liverpool, so that hurts even more,” Gerrard said.
“We was linked with two of those players and that would have made a big difference to Liverpool.
“But I’ve said it before on record. Two top, top players. And for the price that they got them in as well. One on a free. One was, you know, £60million.
“In today’s market, they’re two bargains. Quality players, experienced, ready to go into the prime years of their career. International level players. And what they’ve done is they’ve just helped kick City on at the right time.”
City snapped up both for a combined £95million. Guehi, the former Palace captain, had been in a long running transfer saga and looked certain to join Liverpool as a free agent next season. Semenyo, the ex Bournemouth star, was also in demand after a blistering start to the campaign.
Instead, they’re wearing sky blue. And Gerrard hasn’t forgotten.
KELLEHER: I HOPE I’M APOLOGISING TO SALAH
Remember Caoimhin Kelleher? The Irish keeper left Liverpool last summer to find regular football at Brentford.
Now he could face his old teammate Mohamed Salah on the final day of the season, assuming the Egyptian returns from injury in time. And Kelleher is determined to spoil the party.
“Hopefully I’m apologising to him after,” Kelleher told The Athletic.
The 27 year old wants to keep Salah off the scoresheet as the Bees chase European football. A clean sheet against the departing legend? That’d be some send off.
But Kelleher admitted he owes a lot to facing Liverpool’s iconic front three in training.
“If you’re making saves off them, that gives you confidence,” he explained. “They were the best in the league. Just to see how they finished and the pace they finish at… you have to get used to it.”
Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. Day after day in training. Kelleher reckons it made him.
Now he wants to make Salah’s last game a nightmare.
SALAH’S FAREWELL LOOMING LARGE
The Egyptian King is leaving Anfield at the end of the season. No ifs, no buts.
And while Liverpool have already secured Champions League football, Salah will want to sign off with a goal or three.
But Kelleher has other ideas. A former teammate turning into the villain on the last day? Football doesn’t half write scripts, does it.
One thing’s for sure. If Kelleher does keep him out, he’ll be first in line to say sorry. Whether Salah accepts it? That’s another story.
