Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been branded "stupid" for a crucial transfer decision ahead of the January window opening, with the Reds also facing a potential exit for one of their forwards.
Pennant's Scathing Critique of Semenyo Snub
With the January transfer window commencing imminently, Liverpool have been identified as a club in need of reinforcements. A shortage of attacking options, due to Mohamed Salah's participation in the Africa Cup of Nations and Alexander Isak's serious broken leg injury, has led many supporters to believe Slot must strengthen his frontline.
Defensive injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez have compounded the issues, making the failed deadline-day move for Marc Guehi last summer a sore point. Winter signings are seen as vital to bolstering Liverpool's inconsistent push for Champions League qualification this season.
However, former Reds winger Jermaine Pennant has launched a fierce attack on the club's apparent decision not to pursue Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo. According to Sky Sports, the Ghana international is close to joining Manchester City in a £65 million deal.
"As a Liverpool fan, I'm really disappointed," Pennant stated on talkSPORT. "For £65million in this day and age, a player of Antoine Semenyo's quality, you'd say it's kind of a bargain." He went further, labelling the choice not to enter the race as "really stupid," suggesting Semenyo could have been a long-term successor to Salah.
Federico Chiesa's Anfield Future in Doubt
Meanwhile, winger Federico Chiesa is once again being linked with a departure from Anfield. The Italian made his first Premier League start at home in the recent 2-1 win over Wolves, highlighting his limited opportunities under Slot since arriving in the summer of 2024.
Despite showing strong team spirit, the 29-year-old's competitive drive remains high. Slot previously revealed that Chiesa "wasn't happy" after being initially omitted from Liverpool's Champions League group stage squad, a decision later reversed due to Leoni's ACL injury.
Chiesa has always expressed his affection for Merseyside but, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport last summer, refused to rule out a return to former club Juventus, stating, "Never say never. I still love the club and the fans." Fresh reports from Italy now suggest he is among the targets being assessed by Juventus for a January move, with playing time at Liverpool scarce.
The player previously explained to Corriere dello Sport that he was forced out of Turin by then-manager Thiago Motta, who told him directly, "I don't need you, find a team."
Pressure Mounts on Slot's Early Decisions
The criticism from Pennant and the speculation around Chiesa's future place early pressure on Arne Slot's judgement in his first January window at the Liverpool helm. The failure to address the squad's evident gaps, particularly in attack, could have significant consequences for the second half of the Premier League campaign.
With key players absent and a top-four finish at stake, the Dutch manager's transfer strategy is under intense scrutiny before the window has even officially opened.
