What Rio Ferdinand once said about Marc Guehi proves he’s perfect for Liverpool
Rio Ferdinand has already given Liverpool a seal of approval to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi before the transfer deadline day.
The Englishman won the FA Cup with the Eagles last season and also lifted the FA Community Shield by beating the Reds at Wembley.
Guehi has been linked with a move to Liverpool, but it remains to be seen whether the Merseyside outfit will sign him in the coming weeks or wait for his contract to expire next year.
Arne Slot has Giovanni Leoni at his disposal after the Italian centre-back signed from Parma, but the England international’s arrival would certainly be the cherry on top in L4.
Ferdinand impressed by Liverpool target Guehi during Euro 2024
Guehi’s first start for England in a major tournament came at Euro 2024 in the opening game against Serbia.
The 25-year-old partnered Manchester City defender John Stones in the backline as the Three Lions won 1-0 at the Veltins-Arena on 16 June 2024.
Ferdinand was impressed by the Palace defender’s demeanour on the ball, and doesn’t feel the Englishman is phased in the big matches, which is arguably perfect for the Reds.
Speaking on the BBC, as relayed on the Eagles’ website on 17 June 2024, the Manchester United icon said: “Positionally on the front foot, cool, calm and collected. He doesn’t want to be a superstar, he is a very humble young man. At 23 years old, he [often] captains Palace, a Premier League team. He doesn’t look like he is going to be phased. I don’t like emotional defenders, and he’s not one of those.”
Read More: ‘Amazing’ Liverpool player to hand Arne Slot selection headache vs Newcastle
Ibrahima Konate to wave goodbye after Guehi signs
Ibrahima Konate looked out of sorts against Bournemouth in the 2025/26 campaign’s Premier League curtain raiser.
The French centre-back was defensively underwhelming and looked distracted by his contract situation at Anfield.
Real Madrid have identified Konate as one of their targets for next summer, with the 26-year-old’s contract expiring at the end of the season.
- Konate was dispossessed twice against Bournemouth, as per FotMob.
- The centre-back won only 50 per cent of his ground duels.
- In the build-up to Antoine Semenyo’s second goal, the defender was at fault.
With Konate’s future uncertain, it would make sense for Liverpool to cash in on him before the ongoing transfer window concludes.
If the Reds sign Guehi in the coming weeks, they may be able to afford to sell the French centre-back to Madrid or other interested clubs for a decent fee instead of losing him as a free agent.
The Palace defender arguably has all the attributes to succeed at Anfield, and he should replace Konate, who doesn’t seem committed to Slot’s project in L4.
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