Marc Guehi to Liverpool: Three biggest winners as personal terms agreed
Liverpool are now closing in on the signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, as their latest addition in a blockbuster summer transfer window.
Guehi has been a long-term target for the Reds, and having entered the final year of his deal at Crystal Palace, the centre-back became a good market opportunity.
Liverpool have already strengthened their back line with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, and Guehi looks set to join them as Arne Slot pads out the depth of his squad.
Guehi will join as a proven player ready to make an immediate impact, having now agreed personal terms with Liverpool, and three of his potential new teammates will benefit from his arrival.
https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1955287687495078396Curtis Jones will be joined by England teammate
The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold has meant that Curtis Jones is the only established senior England international left in the squad, aside from the injured Joe Gomez, but Guehi’s arrival will now change that.
Both players will be aiming to reach the World Cup squad for next summer, but neither are guaranteed to start under Slot.
Jones has a point to prove this season, but having one of his England teammates with him will be a positive for the 24-year-old.
Ibrahima Konate has rotation option
Ibrahima Konate is one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, but his biggest problem at Liverpool has been his fitness.
The Frenchman is injury-prone, and an over-reliance on Konate could come at a cost to his long-term fitness.
Guehi could rotate in for him, though, and a lighter workload with fewer games could mean that Konate improves his injury record going forward, and the extra competition in his position is welcomed in this case.
Less reliance on Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk will face similar benefits to Konate following Guehi’s arrival, as the England star predominantly plays as a left-sided centre-back.
Van Dijk signed a new contract earlier this year, but at 34, his ability to play every single game may be waning, and extra rotation can help keep him fresh at the top level.
| Stats per 90 mins in the 2024/25 campaign | Marc Guehi | Virgil van Dijk |
| Tackles | 1.79 | 0.95 |
| Interceptions | 0.82 | 1.36 |
| Block | 1.62 | 0.78 |
| Clearances | 4.80 | 4.55 |
| Aerial duels won | 2.00 | 2.85 |
| Non-penalty goals | 0.09 | 0.09 |
| Assists | 0.06 | 0.02 |
| Shot-creating actions | 1.19 | 1.29 |
| Passing accuracy | 83.5% | 91.7% |
Guehi would provide an outstanding alternative option and would allow Van Dijk to rest in some cases to focus on the biggest games as he gets older.
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