TRANSFER PIVOT: LIVERPOOL DITCHES MICHAEL OLISE, FOCUSES ON SEMENYO DEAL
Liverpool is interested in Bayern Munich's Michael Olise, but the German champions won't sell. With a £65m clause, Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo is a potential alternative.
Word on the street is that Liverpool wants Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, but Bayern isn't selling the French star.
Olise has been great since joining Bayern in the summer of 2024. He scored 12 goals and had 14 assists in his first season, and he's kept it up with six goals and six assists in 11 league games this season.
Mohamed Salah is still Liverpool's main guy on the right wing, but he hasn't been as consistent lately. While they're not looking to replace Salah right away, Olise is seen as a good option for the future.
Bayern paid $61 million for Olise in 2024 after Crystal Palace agreed to the deal. He's now one of the best young players in Europe and a key player for France.
Even though Bayern paid $61 million for him a year ago, Olise is now worth around $150 million, according to Transfermarkt. Liverpool likes Olise, but Bayern doesn't want to sell him and is already working on a new contract.
According to The Athletic, Bayern made sure to leave out a release clause in Olise's contract. His current deal ends in 2029, but the club wants to extend it soon.
Olise isn't the only winger getting attention. Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo is also wanted by a lot of teams in Europe. The Ghanaian winger has scored six goals in 11 Premier League games this season, after signing a new contract with Bournemouth this summer.
Semenyo's contract runs until 2030, but it turns out there's a release clause in it. In January, the clause will be $86 million, but it will drop to $80 million after the World Cup next summer.
Bournemouth will probably get calls about Semenyo in January, and if a team triggers the release clause, they'll have to talk. Bournemouth's coach, Andoni Iraola, would rather keep Semenyo until next summer since the team is doing well in the Premier League.
When asked about Semenyo's release clause and his potential departure, Iraola didn't want to answer while the transfer window was closed. He said, It's November. Antoine is our player, and he'll stay our player.
He added, Ask me about the market in January. I don't like talking about it when it's open, but it's not open right now.
It's November. I'm focused on the players and the next game. We'll talk about what happens in January then.
Semenyo scored two goals at Anfield on the first day of the 2025-26 season when Liverpool beat Bournemouth 4-2. If Olise is out of reach, Semenyo could be the answer, and coach Arne Slot has seen what he can do.
NO MO SALAH, NO PROBLEM: SLOT EXPLAINS BENCH DECISION AFTER 2-0 VICTORY
Arne Slot successfully benched Mo Salah for tactical rotation in a 2-0 win over West Ham. Slot defended the move, as Florian Wirtz had his best game yet.
Liverpool's star player, Mo Salah, who had faced criticism during a tough stretch where they lost nine out of 12 games, didn't play at all in their important 2-0 win against West Ham. He joined Giorgi Mamardashvili, Curtis Jones, and Hugo Ekitike on the bench. Florian Wirtz and Alisson Becker were back after being out with injuries and illness, respectively, along with Alexander Isak and Joe Gomez.
It was a risky move by Slot, who's been under pressure, but it worked out. Wirtz, the £116 million signing, had what Jamie Carragher called his best game in English football so far. Isak also scored his first league goal since his £125m transfer from Newcastle last summer.
Before the West Ham game, Slot said Salah's absence was simply to rotate the team because of the busy schedule. He said the same thing after the game, also explaining the tactics behind his choice.
“I get this question a lot,” he said. “It's the same every time we play a game, and Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, or Mo Salah don’t play.
“It’s normal to get these questions because they’re all great players. Mo has had an amazing career here and will continue to be great because he’s special.
“With four games in 10 days and only 14 or 15 outfield players available, you have to decide on a lineup and pick the best one for each game.
“Against West Ham, with their setup of a very high full-back and a winger cutting inside, I thought this lineup would help the team. Mo has been important for this club and will continue to be.”
Wirtz played against West Ham after missing the losses to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven due to an injury. However, Liverpool was still missing right-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, as well as Giovani Leoni.
Kerkez should be fine, even though he was replaced by Andy Robertson late in the game.
“It was just a cramp,” Slot said about Kerkez. “Bowen's only chance came when Kerkez was out, but it wasn't because of the replacement.
“That was their only chance, and it was because of that. He had a good defensive game.
“He was also a threat to attack a few times in the first half, and one of his crosses could have led to a goal if we were in better form.
“It shows that some players need time to get used to the League and playing three games a week.
“So, it's not surprising that Milos had a cramp. He’s not completely used to this schedule, and he always gives it his all.”
END OF DROUGHT: ALEXANDER ISAK BREAKS 381-MINUTE GOAL WAIT FOR STRUGGLING LIVERPOOL
After a three-game losing streak, Liverpool's expensive signings stepped up. Florian Wirtz played his best game, and Alexander Isak scored his crucial first Premier League goal for the club.
Alexander Isak wasn't at his sharpest against West Ham, and Florian Wirtz is still chasing his first Premier League assist.
Liverpool played the Hammers in London, wanting to snap a three-game losing streak. Before Sunday, they had lost nine of their last 12 games, with new signings Isak and Wirtz struggling to find their place at Anfield.
Wirtz, who came from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million ($153.7 million), hadn't gotten an assist or goal in the Premier League before Sunday. Isak only had one goal for Liverpool after his £125 million ($165.6 million) move from Newcastle.
Both players had another shot to make an impact against West Ham after Arne Slot changed his starting lineup, and Wirtz grabbed his chance in the first half. He was probably the best player on the field, setting up chances for Isak.
Around 15 minutes into the game, Wirtz made a great play. He dribbled down the left and crossed the ball into the six-yard box, but Isak couldn't connect with it. "That's a great ball," said ex-West Ham goalie Rob Green on Sky Sports.
A fit striker would attack the near post. Wirtz sees the space and aims to get the ball there.
West Ham's goalie, Alphonse Areola, also stopped Isak from close range in the first half. Isak is considered a top striker in Europe after scoring 54 Premier League goals in three years at Newcastle.
But Isak needs to get his form back if Liverpool wants to turn their season around. Before Sunday's game, Liverpool was in the bottom half of the Premier League, even after winning the league easily last season.
If Wirtz keeps playing like this, he'll start getting assists and goals in the Premier League soon. He also had a good scoring chance in the first half, but couldn't beat Areola.
"I'm watching Wirtz—he's in good spots and looks lively for Liverpool," said former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports, Wirtz has been the best player out there.
This is his best 45 minutes in a Liverpool shirt.
I thought he'd be on the right at first, but he's in his preferred spot, tucked in on the left.
He should have done better with his chance, but he has been better than everyone else.