Antony has revealed Liverpool made a concrete attempt to sign him before his high-profile move to Manchester United, admitting Jurgen Klopp personally contacted him during the transfer saga.
The Brazilian winger eventually followed Erik ten Hag from Ajax to Old Trafford in a deal worth around £82 million, but things could have unfolded very differently.
Now rebuilding his career at Real Betis, Antony has opened up about one of the biggest decisions of his career and explained why Manchester United ultimately won the race for his signature.
Liverpool made serious move for Antony
Speaking in an interview relayed by ESPN Brazil, Antony confirmed Liverpool were actively trying to bring him to Anfield before his move to Manchester United in 2022.
At the time, uncertainty surrounded Mohamed Salah’s future, with the Egyptian involved in contract negotiations and speculation over a possible departure.
According to Antony, Liverpool were preparing for all possibilities.
“When I went to Manchester United, I had a proposal from Liverpool, from Klopp, on the table. It was also very good.” — Antony
The Brazilian revealed that Klopp personally contacted him during discussions.
“Salah was negotiating a departure, but he ended up staying. Then the manager called me. The name of Manchester United carries weight.” — Antony
The comments offer a fascinating insight into a transfer battle that has received little attention until now.
Manchester United ultimately won the race
Despite Liverpool's interest, Antony chose Old Trafford.
His strong relationship with Ten Hag played a major role in that decision, with the Dutch coach eager to reunite with one of his most trusted Ajax players.
Manchester United ultimately agreed a deal worth around £82 million (€95m), making Antony one of the most expensive signings in the club's history.
The move was expected to strengthen United's attack for years to come.
Instead, the transfer has become one of the most debated deals of recent seasons.
Expectations attached to his transfer fee often appeared to overshadow his performances, creating pressure that proved difficult to escape.
Betis move reignites career
After struggling to consistently justify his price tag at Manchester United, Antony has rediscovered his form in Spain.
The winger has enjoyed arguably the best season of his career at Real Betis, becoming one of the club’s most influential attacking players.
| Antony 2025/26 Season | Record |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 46 |
| Goals | 14 |
| Assists | 10 |
| Current Club | Real Betis |
| Age | 26 |
Source: reported player statistics – 5 June 2026
The numbers underline the extent of his resurgence.
One of football's biggest transfer "what ifs"
With hindsight, Antony's revelation creates one of the more intriguing alternative histories in recent Premier League transfer business.
Had Salah left Liverpool in 2022, Antony may have become part of Klopp's final great Anfield side rather than one of Manchester United's most scrutinised signings.
Whether his career would have developed differently is impossible to know, but his resurgence in Spain suggests there was always more to the player than his difficult period at Old Trafford indicated.
Key Points
- Antony has revealed Liverpool made an offer before his Manchester United move.
- Jurgen Klopp reportedly contacted the Brazilian personally.
- Liverpool were preparing for a possible Mohamed Salah departure.
- Antony chose Manchester United partly because of the club's stature.
- The winger has revived his career with 14 goals and 10 assists at Real Betis.
What’s next?
Antony's future remains one of the most interesting stories of the summer transfer window.
Real Betis would like to keep him, while other European clubs are monitoring his resurgence closely. Manchester United must now decide whether the Brazilian still has a role to play at Old Trafford or whether his revival in Spain represents the ideal moment to move him on permanently.
Would Antony's career have turned out differently if he had joined Liverpool instead of Manchester United in 2022?
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