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Liverpool fans have been keeping a close eye on the potential arrival of Marc Guehi, with hopes high that the England international could strengthen the Reds’ defence. Transfers in the middle of the season always carry uncertainty, and recent events have added a layer of complication. Injuries and squad concerns can unexpectedly influence a club’s willingness to sell. For Liverpool, timing and circumstances are crucial. The EFL Cup is one of England’s historic competitions, giving Premier League teams a chance to rotate players and test depth. For clubs like Crystal Palace, it also provides the opportunity to showcase squad strength. However, the recent Cup exit for Palace has brought unexpected challenges. Injuries in key positions can force a club to reconsider mid-season sales.
The complication for Liverpool came during Palace’s second-round Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal. Defender Chris Richards was stretchered off after a collision with Gabriel Jesus. His foot was bleeding and required stitches. Palace boss Oliver Glasner said after the game, “He got a knock on his foot, a stamp on his foot, and it had to be stitched. I don’t know how many stitches, but a few. The doctor told me it doesn’t look so bad. I’m always hopeful. We have to be hopeful. I don’t know if he will be okay for the Tottenham game, but I’m still hoping that he will be back against Fulham.” The absence of Richards left Palace with no recognised centre-backs on the bench, forcing Glasner to adjust the lineup. Will Hughes came on, while Jefferson Lerma dropped into the back four. This sudden shortage may influence the club’s stance on letting Guehi leave, even temporarily.
Guehi was close to joining Liverpool in the summer. A £35million deal almost went through, but Palace chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug after failing to secure a replacement. Parish has hinted that while the club is open to sales, they must be careful: “We’ve got one eye on players who we might have to replace in the summer. We’re not going to throw it all on red and have a massive problem… You have to have some guardrails as a club, or you’ll build up big problems down the track… We kept him [Guehi]. You can’t always make happen what you want to. We are where we are in the pecking order; you could ask why other clubs make bids for our players two weeks before the end of the window. I don’t know why they did that.” For Liverpool, the news is a setback. Guehi’s arrival would bolster the defence during a crucial stage of the season, but Palace’s current squad needs and the recent injury may delay or complicate any move. Fans will have to watch the next weeks closely to see if the deal can still go through.
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