Liverpool handed new motivation to sign Antoine Semenyo after shock failure

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Liverpool are set to be without Mohamed Salah for a number of matches due to the Africa Cup of Nations, but the Reds have been handed a boost in their pursuit of a potential replacementLiverpool have become used to losing some of their key players mid-season to the Africa Cup of Nations in recent years. Starting on December 21, he'll miss at least three Liverpool matches as a result.But if Egypt make it all the way to the final, which will be held in Rabat on January 18, he could miss up to seven Liverpool games.READ MORE: Alexander Isak supported as Amanda Staveley breaks silence on Newcastle transfer sagaREAD MORE: Liverpool told transfer 'should have never happened' after £65.5m decisionDespite Salah not being at his best for Arne Slot's underperforming team so far this season, his absence will be keenly felt - particularly as trips to both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal coincide with this season's AFCON finals.Of course, this isn't the first time Liverpool have had to cope without Salah mid-season, with the Egyptian also missing several games in both 2021 and 2023.The Reds also had to manage without Sadio Mane and Naby Keita in the former edition of the finals, held in Cameroon, while the Senegalese also left mid-season to compete at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon in 2017, reports the Liverpool Echo.Before that, Liverpool were left without Kolo Toure mid-season in 2015 and Oussama Assaidi in 2013 due to their own participation in the tournament.While Brendan Rodgers' Reds hardly felt the absence of the Moroccan fringe player - who only made four Premier League appearances for the club - it's fair to say that Liverpool have kept a keen eye on the tournament over the past decade.However, Liverpool won't be the only top-flight English side feeling the sting of losing players mid-season to this season's Africa Cup of Nations.Man City (Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri) and Manchester United (Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui) will also feel the impact, while Aston Villa, Brighton and Hove Albion, Brentford, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers are all set to see some of their players compete.Bournemouth, too, though not their star man, Semenyo.

The forward is a Ghana international, but the Black Stars shockingly failed to qualify for the continental tournament, having finished bottom of the qualifying group, for the first time since 2004 and only the second time since 1990.Having reached at least the semi-finals in eight of the last 16 editions of the competition they qualified for, it's a rare sight to not even see them compete at the finals.But it means the Cherries can rely on the services of the in-form Semenyo throughout the Premier League festive period and into the New Year.However, the 25-year-old continues to be linked with a big-money move to top Premier League clubs, while Ghana's absence from the Africa Cup of Nations provides an added incentive for a mid-season transfer for Semenyo.Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on the forward, with rumours circulating since last season that he could be a possible long-term replacement for Salah.If Liverpool decide to make a mid-season swoop for the Ghanaian, they'll be reassured knowing he won't miss any matches due to AFCON this season.Consequently, Ghana's non-participation in the tournament also paves the way for transfer talks to take place throughout the January window, rather than waiting for Semenyo's international duties to conclude.It's still uncertain whether Liverpool will strengthen their squad in January and act on the reported interest in the forward, who was signed by Reds' sporting director Richard Hughes during his tenure at the Vitality Stadium back in January 2023.Semenyo kick-started his professional career with Bristol City, making waves in the Championship before being scooped up in a £10m deal by Bournemouth. But despite being a Ghana international, he qualifies as homegrown having been born in Chelsea and come through the Bristol City academy.Liverpool's Premier League squad at the start of the season only included five genuine first-team homegrown players, making a player with such status an attractive prospect for the Reds.Rhys Williams and Fabian Mrozek did boost their numbers further, but they were still restricted to a 24-man squad after a deadline day deal for Marc Guehi fell through.In their Champions League squad, Liverpool could only include five locally trained players and were limited to a 22-man quota as a result, which meant Federico Chiesa was left out.Despite Giovanni Leoni's season-ending ACL injury allowing the Italian a reprieve under new UEFA regulations, Liverpool were still constrained by squad registration rules.To name a full 25-man squad, clubs can't select more than 17 overseas players.

Of the remaining eight spots, reserved exclusively for locally trained players, no club can have more than four association-trained players listed among those places.Semenyo would be classified as association-trained and could potentially join Jeremie Frimpong and Freddie Woodman in filling such slots.If Liverpool make it to the Champions League knockout stage, they can register up to three new players to their squad.Therefore, if Liverpool were to sign Semenyo in January, he could be added to their ranks without the need to remove any other players.These factors could make a move for the 25-year-old more appealing, if he is indeed on Liverpool's radar. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.Get 50% off Premier League kits and merchThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.