Gerrard says missing out on Guehi and Semenyo 'hurts' Liverpool as Kelleher targets Salah on final day

Steven Gerrard has admitted it “hurts” to see Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo at Manchester City after Liverpool were linked with the pair, arguing their arrivals could have lifted the Reds’ season. Liverpool have been defined by a sweeping squad overhaul, twice breaking the British transfer record last summer, and manager Arne Slot has remained in the spotlight as the reigning Premier League champions push for a Champions League place.

A 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend moved Liverpool above Aston Villa into fourth and effectively secured their return to Europe’s top competition. Gerrard, 45, said missing out on two January targets has had consequences. “They should be playing for Liverpool, so that hurts even more,” he told TNT Sports, praising Guehi, formerly Crystal Palace captain, and Semenyo, who had impressed at Bournemouth.

“We were linked with two of those players and that would have made a big difference to Liverpool. Two top, top players. And for the price that they got them in as well. One on a free. One was, you know, £60 million. In today’s market, they’re two bargains… and they’ve helped kick City on at the right time.” Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah’s planned farewell is set to face a familiar obstacle.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, now at Brentford, said he hopes to deny the forward a final flourish on the last day of the season—provided Salah returns to fitness—and then offer an apology. “Hopefully I’m apologising to him after,” Kelleher told The Athletic, adding that the Bees are chasing European qualification and he intends to keep Salah off the scoresheet.

Kelleher left Anfield last summer in search of regular football but said he benefited from facing Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in training. “If you’re making saves off them, that gives you confidence,” he said. “They were the best in the league…

you have to get used to it.” Salah is preparing to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, and a potential final-day meeting with Brentford could pit the forward against his former teammate if he is fit. For Liverpool, the focus remains on closing out a top-four finish after an eventful campaign shaped by transfer business on and off the pitch.