Liverpool head coach Arne Slot could look to bring in attacking reinforcements in January.placeholder image
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot could look to bring in attacking reinforcements in January. | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool can completely transform their team with this crucial signing in 2026
Liverpool could have all the encouragement they need to re-enter talks with Marc Guehi after an interesting update appears to put the ball firmly in their court. The Reds are up against competition from Arsenal and Manchester City but Arne Slot could get the last laugh.
Guehi is one of the most sought-after talents in world football, and frustratingly for Liverpool, they will feel he should already be one of their own. The Reds had all but wrapped up a deal for the centre-back last summer before Crystal Palace pulled the plug.
Now four months on, little has changed from Liverpool’s point of view. They still need a new central defender and Guehi is still the main man on their radar. If recent reports hold the truth, the Reds can take a huge step towards resurrecting their fallen form.
Marc Guehi prefers Liverpool over Arsenal and Man City
Despite their rollercoaster season, Anfield is reportedly still the favoured destination for Guehi. Sam Lee of The Athletic recently revealed on the Let Me Talk podcast that the Palace captain prefers a move to Liverpool above all else.
“I was told by somebody who knows what’s going on at City, but also I think probably Palace as well, he said he thinks Guehi wants to stay until the summer and he prefers Liverpool in any case.”
Still being able to see off intense competition despite their disappointing form this season will be huge for Liverpool. A main pulling point they can offer is that Guehi will more than likely be given an immediate starting role alongside Virgil van Dijk. At other clubs, he risks falling into the rotational bracket, especially with Arsenal who are continuously praised for their standard of defence already.
Marc Guehi could transform Liverpool
We’ve seen it before with Liverpool where just one or two new players can totally transform an area within the team. The arrivals of Van Dijk and Alisson were game-changing decisions from the club and they are still regarded as two of the best signings the Reds have ever made.
Liverpool spent a record-breaking amount of money on new signings over the summer but it’s done little to significantly transform the team. The world expected to see a whole new beast evolve but teething issues have completely taken over this season.
Hugo Ekitike has arguably been the signing of the season, and fortunately, the sun has started to come out and shine on others. Florian Wirtz is finally in his goal-scoring groove and Jeremie Frimpong is giving a lot of food for thought. However, Slot’s defence as a whole looks fragile.
Liverpool have been knocked of their confidence this season after a disastrous nose-dive in form saw them lose nine games from 12 in all competitions between September and November. Their defence has looked a shell of itself and injuries now mean Slot is without both Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley until next season.
Recent reports suggest Liverpool will look to sign Guehi in the summer, which will completely change their team. By then, there is a high chance Ibrahima Konate will be leaving. His contract expires in June and he is no closer to signing a new deal. Joe Gomez could also be on the way out, having been in talks over leaving during the summer.
Rhys Williams is not part of plans moving forwards either, meaning this would leave Liverpool with only 34-year-old Van Dijk and 19-year-old Leoni. The latter is an exciting player but certainly not ready to jump into a starting role after missing almost his entire maiden season with an injury.
Guehi’s leadership makes him an ideal signing for Liverpool to not just complement Van Dijk but eventually replace him as the leading centre-back.
He especially impressed during Euro 2024 with England. Gareth Southgate applauded his commitment to dealing with aerial threats, while pundits praised his ‘calm and composed’ displays to deal with the attack. Joe Hart described Guehi as ‘exceptional’, and since then he has only grown more in confidence.
Praise comes Guehi’s way less often now because it’s almost expected that he will have a good, solid game in defence. That’s exactly what Liverpool need - a reliable and unflappable figure at centre-back who has what it takes to eventually succeed one of the best defenders the club has ever seen.
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