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Liverpool is being linked with a move for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo amid the Ghana international's brilliant form.
Semenyo has been among the best players in the Premier League since the start of the season, and it's a season that began in bittersweet fashion for the 25-year-old at Anfield. Semenyo scored a brace in the campaign's curtain-raiser, but emerged pointless as Liverpool scored two late goals to secure a 4-2 win.
The result was not the biggest talking point in the aftermath of the game, though, after Semenyo alleged he was racially abused by a man sitting in the home end at Anfield during the game.
A man was arrested and conditionally bailed in the days afterward, and an investigation is still ongoing. After the game, Semenyo expressed his gratitude to the soccer community for how it rallied around him in the wake of the alleged abuse.
"Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever - not because of one person's words, but because of how the entire football family stood together," Semenyo wrote on social media.
"To my Bournemouth team-mates who supported me in that moment, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League officials who handled it professionally - thank you.
"Football showed its best side when it mattered most.
"Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch. This is why I play - for moments like these, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.
"The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together."
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had called the incident "a disgrace."
"The only thing we can do is deal with it by dealing with him personally and try to educate the next generation," Van Dijk said. "That is the only way to try and kick it out, in my opinion.
"I can't believe it. These things shouldn't happen, but unfortunately it does, and it is an absolute disgrace in my eyes."
Van Dijk and Semenyo could be calling each other teammates in the near future if recent reports are to be believed. Semenyo has a £65 million ($86 million) release clause in his Bournemouth contract, which will be active during the January transfer window, and Liverpool is among the clubs interested in signing him, according to The Athletic.
The summer departure of Luis Diaz from Liverpool, coupled with a disappointing start to the season from Cody Gakpo, has raised questions over the firepower available to Arne Slot on the left flank.
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