The Data Behind Liverpool’s Interest in Semenyo and Minteh as Salah's Heir

Why Replacing Salah is Not Just About Goals

Liverpool fans are already looking towards January, and so are the club’s decision-makers. When the window opens, there will be noise, names and narratives, but two players are standing out in early conversations: Antoine Semenyo and Yankuba Minteh.

These are not fantasy names. These are real targets with real qualities that fit what Liverpool need. Neither would be cheap, and neither is a guaranteed starter, but both deserve a proper look. Especially with what’s starting to feel like a growing uncertainty around Mohamed Salah’s long-term future.

Let’s be clear, Salah remains a world-class player. But the off-ball demands in Arne Slot’s system are starting to evolve, and there are signs that Salah’s output in those areas is declining. It is no disrespect to one of the club’s all-time greats to explore realistic options. In Semenyo and Minteh, there are two profiles who could fill a different role in a front three.

Semenyo’s Numbers Back the Hype

Semenyo is one of the most in-form forwards in the Premier League at the moment. Six goals and three assists already, and he is not just scoring; he is over performing his expected numbers. From an xG of 4.5, he has scored six. From an xA of just 0.4, he already has three assists. Yes, that suggests a purple patch, but that is not a bad time to strike, players tend to get their move when they are running hot.

We looked at him last summer as well. Back then, there were concerns. He carried the ball well between the boxes, but the end product in the final third was missing. That has changed. He is now doing both. The key improvement is his finishing in the box, which is exactly what we flagged as the gap in his game. As can be seen from the shot map below in a recent game, he is taking more shots in the box, which are on target and creating more xG closer to goal.

Defensively, he is standing out even more. He ranks in the 90th percentile for blocks, clearances and aerial duels among forwards. That matters because if Salah is not pressing or recovering like he used to, Liverpool needs to replace that somewhere else. Semenyo offers that. He is strong, quick, hardworking and extremely physical. The off-ball actions heatmap from a recent game indicates that he helps provide a front screen for Bournemouth, accounting for 10% of the total actions operating in the boxes on the left side of the front zone.

We also cannot ignore the chemistry he already has with Milos Kerkez on Bournemouth’s left. They know each other’s runs, and that connection would help ease any bedding-in period. Especially if we are talking about a potential January move. Semenyo has also played across both flanks, so his flexibility is a plus.