If Marc Guehi wasn’t already considered a necessity for Liverpool in the January transfer window, signing the Crystal Palace captain has now become a non-negotiable.
That at least should be the stance following Conor Bradley‘s latest injury setback – one that will have a knock-on effect for the rest of Arne Slot‘s defence.
While Liverpool await the results of scans on Bradley’s knee, there are concerns the right-back will miss an extended period – and perhaps even the remainder of the season – with Slot fearing an ACL injury.
Marc Guehi: Why injury crisis forces Liverpool’s hand
Bradley blow: Spotted on crutches, Conor Bradley left the Emirates in a knee brace. Arne Slot fears a season-ending ACL tear.
Price drop:Crystal Palace have reportedly softened their stance and would now accept less than £35 million to avoid losing Guehi for free this summer.
City competition: With Man City signing Antoine Semenyo and now targeting Guehi to cover their own injury crisis, Liverpool must move quickly to avoid losing a key target.
The timing could not be more ironic, with the head coach responding to questions on possible January signings before Thursday’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal by telling Sky Sports: “I think we need players back from injury.
“We have such a good and talented squad and if these players are back we have a team which is very hard for every team to beat.
“I think we’ve shown that we can beat a lot of teams if every one is available.”
But if Bradley joins Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Wataru Endo (ankle) and Alexander Isak (broken leg) on the long-term absentee list, Liverpool’s situation will be considerably worse.
Conor Bradley’s injury: Knock-on effects for Liverpool
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's Conor Bradley receives treatment during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That is particularly the case in Slot’s back line, with Leoni out for the season and Endo having already missed a month of action and not in contention for a return yet.
With Leoni sidelined and Joe Gomez spending time out himself recently, the onus has fallen on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate to start every game at centre-back.
Now with Bradley out and Jeremie Frimpong required further forward to cover Mohamed Salah during his time at the Africa Cup of Nations, Gomez could feature heavily and Calvin Ramsay could be denied a January loan move.
Liverpool Defensive Depth: Where Marc Guehi Would Fit In
Position Primary Option Status Alternatives
Right Back Jeremie Frimpong Fit* Joe Gomez / Calvin Ramsay
Centre Back (Left) Virgil van Dijk Fit Marc Guehi (Target) / Joe Gomez
Centre Back (Right) Ibrahima Konate Fit Joe Gomez / Wellity Lucky
Left Back Milos Kerkez Fit Andy Robertson / Joe Gomez
* Jeremie Frimpong currently required as a right winger.
While in his pre-Arsenal press conference Slot emphasised the need to make do with what he already has at his disposal, losing another key part of his defensive ranks will surely prompt a rethink.
Liverpool rubbished speculation over a move for Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez when approached by This Is Anfield last week, but there has been no such response over their interest in Guehi.
And with Crystal Palace softening their no-sale stance and Oliver Glasner admitting that they could not refuse offers of a certain fee, all of the pieces seem to be falling into place.
Why Marc Guehi transfer is more urgent than ever
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk (L) exchanges pennants with Crystal Palace's captain Marc Guéhi before the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Though Liverpool had planned to return for Guehi in the summer, when he would be a free agent, there is now an urgency around the deal.
Not only is Slot less certain he has the cover required at the back, but Man City are also considering a January move for Palace’s No. 6 following injuries of their own to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
Man City unveiled Antoine Semenyo as their first signing of the mid-season window on Friday and there were many Liverpool supporters left frustrated by his £64 million switch.
For whatever reason, Liverpool decided not to pursue the Ghanaian in January and he has become Man City‘s latest expensive January recruit.
Simply put, the same cannot play out with Guehi.
Marc Guehi training Crystal Palace (John Walton/PA)
It was already accepted that defence was more of a priority than attack when it comes to the winter market and having agreed personal terms before the collapse of their deadline-day deal, the framework is already in place.
Guehi was within hours of becoming a Liverpool player, undergoing his medical at the club’s offices in London, and that should hold weight.
Of course he will now know that, with Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid also credited with an interest, he could not only have his pick of clubs in the summer, but any move would be more lucrative for him if he joined on a free.
Despite its status as a free transfer, players will more often than not bank a significant signing-on fee when joining another club when unattached – and similar for their agents.
Marc Guehi: The perfect signing for Liverpool this January
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Crystal Palace's captain Marc Guéhi (L) and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Guehi is clearly comfortable at Palace: he is Oliver Glasner’s captain, has started 29 games already this season and will favour a regular role in the second half of the campaign ahead of the World Cup.
But there is certainly cause to believe that similar would be on offer at Liverpool, only with more prestige; despite their disappointing sophomore season under Slot, they are still one of the biggest clubs in the world and compete in the Champions League.
The landscape may have shifted and Guehi may have more power when it comes to his future now, but he was convinced to join the champions four months ago and the same should apply now.
With Crystal Palace now prepared to accept a deal worth less than the £35 million agreed with Liverpool in September, it is an outlay the Reds simply must sanction to ensure they have the quality required for the second half of the season.
Marc Guehi at Liverpool: Where He Would Fit In
Role Tactical Profile Priority
LCB The long-term natural successor to Virgil van Dijk. High
RCB Direct competition and rotation for Ibrahima Konate. Immediate
RB Emergency cover for Bradley injury. Versatility
CDM Capable of stepping into the ‘No. 6’ role if needed. Alternative
He could thrive as partner to either Van Dijk or Konate, depending on the circumstances, while providing a long-term solution as both of Liverpool’s current first-choice centre-backs face uncertainty over their futures.
Van Dijk is entering the autumn of his career and a succession plan is necessary; Konate is still yet to agree a new contract and could realistically need replacing as early as July 1.
Guehi can not only solve both of those issues but ease any knock-on effect from Bradley’s injury. A no-brainer this January.
The Big Debate
Should Liverpool pay now to stop a Man City hijack for Marc Guehi?
With Conor Bradley now fearing a season-ending ACL injury and Man City moving aggressively to sign Marc Guehi this month, Liverpool’s ‘wait until summer’ plan is under fire. Palace are reportedly ready to accept less than £35m to sell now – can the Reds afford to let a long-term target join a title rival during a defensive crisis?
Have your say: Does the Bradley injury make Guehi a “must-sign” this month, or should the club trust Joe Gomez and wait for the free transfer? Let us know in the comments.