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FSG in move to sign £35m “monster” for Liverpool, he may be a bigger talent than Gabriel -…

Liverpool have settled back down in the Premier League top four, and after Chelsea's draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday, have the chance to go five points clear with a win over Leeds United at Anfield on New Year's Day.

But there's no denying Arne Slot's side are a world away from their title-winning level of last season, and FSG will be looking to utilise the January transfer window to add an elite addition to the mix.

At Manchester City, they have Erling Haaland, while Arsenal's formidable defensive structure is championed by Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, who dominated as the Gunners thrashed Aston Villa on Tuesday evening.

With Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah winding down, Liverpool have recruited new stars-in-the-making, but it's clear that the club still need a centre-back to rival the likes of Gabriel.

Liverpool ready to sign Prem star

Some Liverpool fans will be frustrated to miss out on Antoine Semenyo, with the Bournemouth forward among the most dangerous players in the Premier League this season.

But the Reds desperately need a defender. Slot's system is one Van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate injury away from chaos.

Premier League Top Scorers (25/26)

Player

Erling Haaland

Igor Thiago

Antoine Semenyo

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Hugo Ekitike

Danny Welbeck

Data via BBC Sport

With Giovanni Leoni sidelined for the season with a knee injury, it's clear that addressing a lack of defensive depth should be the Anfield side's first port of call.

And according to Liverpool correspondent Lewis Steele, it may well be, with a list of centre-half targets compiled, and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi still sitting at the top.

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi

Guehi is out of contract at the end of the season, and it's felt that Eagles chairman Steve Parish would only let his side's skipper go at the season's midpoint if his £35m valuation is met. FSG, understandably, would be hesitant to meet that.

Why Liverpool should sign Marc Guehi

Guehi is accomplished as a Premier League defender, and in 2025, he has played a critical role in winning the FA Cup and Community Shield under Oliver Glasner's wing.

Marc-Guehi-Crystal-Palace

A "monster in defence", as has been said by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, Guehi has fostered his clear qualities in south London over a number of years after being sold by Chelsea before he could show what he could do.

But Liverpool can see his talent and know that by signing the England international, they would land a centre-back with the perfect skillset for a career at the top of the Premier League and the top of European competition too.

After all, he scrubs up well against someone like Gabriel, who data-driven site FBref actually reveal to be among his most comparable players.

Premier League 25/26 - Gabriel Magalhaes vs Marc Guehi

Stats (per 90)

Goals

Assists

Touches

Pass completion (%)

Progressive passes

Progressive carries

Shot-creating actions

Ball recoveries

Tackles + interceptions

Clearances

Aerials won

Data via FBref

The 25-year-old has also shown that he is going from strength to strength. Sofascore data records that he has won 69% of his aerial duels in the Premier League this season, having only won 54% last term.

Liverpool boast the strongest aerial duel success rate in the division at 57.2% as a collective, and a large part of that is down to Van Dijk and Konate's dominance in the skies. To lose this crucial defensive asset would be detrimental to a backline already struggling for stability, and Guehi would ensure that Slot's project glides into the next phase, all the while adding a new flavour of on-the-ball quality.

Gabriel is the talk of the town, but at Liverpool, Guehi would elevate his qualities and his reputation, becoming something truly special and spearheading the Merseysiders to title-winning success.

Antoine Semenyo Related

Needed more than Semenyo: Liverpool leading the race to sign £34m talent

Liverpool are ready to react to opportunities in the January transfer window.

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