Liverpool will not be signing Marc Guehi in 2026, leaving the door open for a new top centre-back target at Anfield.
The Reds had identified Guehi as a potential addition and, having been one step away from signing him last summer, were clearly planning for life with him in the squad.
However, after seeing Crystal Palace snatch their chances away, Liverpool have chosen not to rival Manchester City in a cut-price bid to sign Guehi this January.
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Who should be Liverpool’s top centre-back target after missing out on Marc Guehi?
Micky van de Ven pictured during Tottenham Hotspurs' Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej).
Alessandro Bastoni warms up ahead of the Serie A match between Inter Milan and Torino at San Siro Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Marco Luzzani).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej/Marco Luzzani
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Supporters have reacted furiously to the perceived transfer fumble, with Liverpool’s decision not to sign a new defender at all seen as the bigger crime than missing out on Guehi. The Reds’ need for new additions at centre-back is clear, and it is baffling that they believe Arne Slot has enough to get through the season.
Liverpool have been here before, though. In 2021, Jurgen Klopp oversaw an even bigger defensive crisis and aside from some underwhelming loan signings, he was not given the tools he needed mid-season. The reason for that was simple: Liverpool knew they were signing Ibrahima Konate. Fast forward five years, and it is likely that a similar situation is playing out.
Liverpool must have a summer signing lined up
Back in January 2021, Liverpool did not want to compromise and complicate the summer arrival of Konate by making a new permanent signing.
They knew there was no chance of bringing the Frenchman’s arrival from RB Leipzig forward, and so decided to be patient, hold what they have and wait it out until the summer.
Marc Guehi pictured in action during Crystal Palace's Premier League match against Aston Villa at Selhurst Park.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
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The irony half-a-decade on is that Konate’s probable exit is one of the driving factors behind Liverpool’s need for a new centre-back.
Guehi was perhaps seen as the player to replace Konate in August, but things have clearly changed five months down the line. If that was still the belief at Anfield, they would have pushed harder to keep him from City’s clutches.
It is not only Guehi, though, Liverpool also look highly unlikely to sign anyone at all in January. That would suggest that they are waiting for a summer signing who they have either virtually rubber-stamped already, or are confident they soon will.
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If no, where will he be instead?
Xabi Alonso pictured during Real Madrid's La Liga match against Real Betis at the Bernabeu (Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto
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As of yet, there are no real indications over who that may be. Our choice would be Alessandro Bastoni, but it remains to be seen how possible a deal for the Italian will be to complete. In the meantime, frustrations may get the better of some supporters, but just as it did with Konate, this strategy will hopefully pay off for Liverpool.
Who could be Liverpool’s new Ibrahima Konate?
The one difference between 2021 and 2026 in Liverpool’s centre-back stakes is that the new arrival is going to have to join as an immediate starter.
Five years ago, Liverpool still had Joel Matip and a more peak version of Joe Gomez to rely upon. Konate was essentially arriving as fourth-choice within that.
This year, there are big doubts over Konate and Gomez’s futures, while Giovanni Leoni is recovering from a serious knee injury. The new man is going to have to be a different profile to 2021 Konate.
The Frenchman had just turned 22 when he arrived, and this year’s signing will likely be a more senior centre-back. The targeting of 25-year-old Guehi hinted at that, and we’d wager it will be a player in the 24 to 27 bracket. Bastoni would be a great option, but he is not the only one. The likes of Nico Schlotterbeck, Micky van de Ven and even Jan Paul van Hecke could come into the conversation.
It became clear long before the summer in 2021 that Konate would be joining, and Liverpool supporters could do with hearing of a similar breakthrough to get them back onside. Whether that is sooner or later, though, it is surely set to arrive.
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