Liverpool put title challenge at risk amid new Marc Guehi update
Liverpool failed in a deadline-day move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, but he could still end up at Anfield.
Guehi is now in the final year of his contract, and as things stand, is set to leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season.
Liverpool’s failed £35million move for Guehi has left them somewhat light in central defensive options, and with Ibrahima Konate struggling with injuries over the years, there is a risk that their back line could be decimated.
Konate and Virgil van Dijk are an incredible pairing at their best, but Guehi would add serious strength in depth to them. However, Liverpool are now taking a huge risk.
Liverpool will not sign Marc Guehi in January
Paul Joyce has reported for The Telegraph that Liverpool will not pursue a move for Guehi in the January transfer window, and will only look to sign him for free next summer.
This comes as a huge risk to Liverpool’s title challenge. Should one of Van Dijk or Konate pick up a long-term injury, they will be left very short at the back.
| Player | Age |
| Virgil van Dijk | 34 |
| Ibrahima Konate | 26 |
| Joe Gomez | 28 |
| Giovanni Leoni | 18 |
| Rhys Williams | 24 |
Joe Gomez is also injury-prone, while Giovanni Leoni is untested and inexperienced despite his vast potential.
Liverpool clearly saw Guehi as a player of need in the final days of the summer window, and it is not just their title challenge that they will be risking by not pursuing a January deal.
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Liverpool could lose out on Marc Guehi to Real Madrid
Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Guehi and Konate, who are both out of contract in 2026 as things stand.
By allowing Guehi to run down his contract, rather than signing him in January, Liverpool are opening up the possibility of Real Madrid swooping in to poach one of their key targets.
Should Liverpool sign Guehi, Real Madrid could still make a move for Konate, unless he signs a new deal before January.
Konate has admitted that Kylian Mbappe has been trying to convince him to move to Madrid, and Liverpool could lose out both for this season, as well as upcoming campaigns, by not sealing a move for Guehi at the earliest possible opportunity.
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