Semenyo Talk, The Diamond, And What It Means

The Antoine Semenyo conversation is the kind that instantly splits you into two brains at once. One part thinks: yes please, a direct runner who plays on the edge, quick over the ground, always looking to stress a back line. The other part thinks: right, but what does that do to the system we’ve been leaning on?

Because you don’t really go and buy a winger unless you plan to use wingers. Sounds obvious, but it matters. If we’ve been comfortable in a diamond recently, adding a wide forward type feels like a loud hint that the future shape is going to open up again, with proper width and proper 1v1s. That might be brilliant. It might also mean saying goodbye to something that’s been working, or at least pausing it.

Width changes more than just where people stand

A diamond can be great for control: extra bodies in central areas, plenty of angles, and it can suit certain players because everything happens close to the ball. But it also asks a lot of your full-backs and it can make the attack feel narrow if the opposition are happy to sit in and block the middle.

If you bring in a winger and actually commit to using them, you’re probably pushing towards a shape that stretches teams again. That’s where someone like Semenyo, in your mind, starts to resemble that old Sadio Mane vibe: aggressive running, carrying the ball, and turning a steady attack into panic for defenders. Not saying he is Mane, because that’s a ridiculous standard, but you can see why fans make the comparison stylistically.

The Wirtz point is the most interesting bit

The best argument in favour isn’t even about nostalgia, it’s about combinations. Florian Wirtz, as you put it, is at his best when there’s movement ahead of him. Not just sideways shuffling, but proper darts in behind that force defenders to turn, sprint, and make decisions.

If the attackers in front of him are mainly coming short and wanting it to feet, it can clog the picture. It becomes neat and safe, but not always lethal. A runner who naturally threatens the space behind gives Wirtz a different pass, and it gives the whole team a different rhythm. One run, one pass, and suddenly the opposition’s shape isn’t comfy anymore.

Still, centre-back has to come first

All that said, it’s fair to keep the priorities straight. A winger is exciting, but centre-back depth and quality is the sort of business that stops seasons wobbling. It’s not glamorous, it’s just grown-up squad building.

And there’s the Salah angle too. Whatever frustrations people have had with his behaviour at times, he’s a legend of the modern club. If there’s change coming, you want it handled properly, not forced by a shiny new signing and a shrug. If Liverpool can strengthen without it feeling like one door has to slam for another to open, that’s the ideal.

Written by LFC-S MANGO: 20 December 2025