A Rising Star with Shades of Sadio Mané

Liverpool’s recruitment team is on the hunt for reinforcements, and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has emerged as a fascinating prospect. On the Transfer Market Metrics podcast, analysts Dave Davis and Dr. Phil Barter broke down why the Ghanaian forward could be a fit for Arne Slot’s evolving system.

Semenyo’s pace and power make him one of the most explosive attackers in the Premier League. In fact, Davis went as far as to compare him to a Liverpool legend:

“His physical metrics are huge—almost outperforming Sadio Mané.”

But beyond his attacking threat, Semenyo also stands out defensively, ranking in the 99th percentile for aerial clearances and 92nd for blocks—traits Liverpool highly values in its wide forwards.

A Statistical Trajectory Similar to Jota’s

Davis also highlighted an interesting parallel between Semenyo and Diogo Jota before his move to Anfield. While the Bournemouth star’s raw numbers aren’t eye-catching yet, his steady improvement suggests he could be on the verge of a breakout.

Dr. Barter shared some key data:

Non-penalty xG per 90 minutes: 0.10 → 0.20 → 0.33 (last three seasons)

Expected assists per 90 minutes: 0.00 → 0.10 → 0.24

“He’s trending in the right direction,” Barter noted, though he admitted Semenyo’s output still lags behind Liverpool’s current options.

The Missing Piece: End Product

Despite his impressive growth, Semenyo’s final product remains a concern. Compared to Cody Gakpo, his expected goals (xG) output is still 20% lower, and while he takes plenty of shots, his goal-creating actions rank only in the 31st percentile.

Davis summed it up perfectly:

“Semenyo does 90% of everything you need, but that final element—finishing—is the most expensive thing in football.”

A Worthy Gamble for Liverpool?

With Premier League experience and a clear upward trajectory, Semenyo offers an intriguing option for Liverpool’s attack. Having played at Bristol City before, he knows English football well—a factor that could make him a lower-risk signing.

However, with a reported price tag of £50-60 million, the Reds must weigh whether his numbers justify the investment.

“Semenyo will be on the list,” Davis concluded. “But is he the first-choice signing? That’s harder to say.”