Liverpool have been linked with a much-coveted Premier League star.placeholder image
Liverpool have been linked with a much-coveted Premier League star. | Getty Images
One crucial January signing that must not be missed should be obvious to the Liverpool board
Liverpool have had a mixed first half of the 2025/26 season and may view this January period as somewhat of a reset, having bounced back from a horrific spell of form in the autumn with a nine-match unbeaten run.
Reinforcements in multiple areas of the pitch have been speculated, but Liverpool’s most important January acquisition should be blindingly obvious.
Liverpool target Marc Guehi attracting Man City interest
Liverpool’s long-standing pursuit of Marc Guehi may have been hit with a reality check amidst reports by BBC Sport that Manchester City are ‘emerging as contenders’ to sign the Crystal Palace captain, after centre-back duo Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol were both injured during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
City are left with a severe lack of defensive options at present and may move for Guehi in January if the extent of the duo’s injuries is as bad as feared.
In what had previously been viewed as a transfer situation which may work itself out next summer, the future of Guehi has now been brought sharply into focus and Liverpool must act fast if they are to avoid losing out on the England man, in whom they ‘remain strongly interested’ according to the BBC’s report. Palace may reportedly demand ‘more than’ the £35million bid they accepted from the Reds on deadline day.
Guehi is known as one of the Premier League’s best defenders and could be a transformational signing for the Reds, and for one man in particular.
Guehi could free Conor Bradley to reach new levels at right-back
Guehi’s quality and composure at the back and leader-like presence could have a major impact on the performances of Conor Bradley, who has been in and out of the side and has yet to truly take advantage of the vacancy left by Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
Playing alongside captain Virgil van Dijk, current Reds right centre-back Ibrahima Konate has been far from his best for much of this season, offering little defensive reassurance to Bradley as the Northern Irishman looks to get forward and support attacks.
Coming in to slot alongside the 22-year-old, the reliability of Guehi would offer Bradley more license to get forward. Furthermore, the Eagles captain ranks in the 84th percentile of progressive passes with 4.71 per 90 and could be more adept than Konate at sliding Bradley in behind to attack the opposition defence, while leaving him in fewer perilous positions at the other end.
The reality is that with Bradley hoping to attack and particularly if Mohamed Salah returns to the starting XI after coming back from AFCON, Liverpool need more defensive cover on their right-hand side than Konate looks capable of offering at present. While the Frenchman has significant speed, he lacks composure and has looked prone to an error all too often this season, committing three errors leading to a shot this season compared to Guehi’s one.
Considering how close Liverpool came to signing Guehi in the summer, it would be a massive blow if they were to lose out on him to a direct Premier League rival now.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson said on deadline day that Guehi is a “brilliant player” who “gets into everybody’s team” and right now that certainly appears to be true for the Reds, who may be forced to make a move soon or miss out entirely.
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