Liverpool will have to look for alternatives following the failure to land Marc Guehi, and one former Premier League star believes there is a defender ready for a move to Anfield
James Findlater Content Editor
09:06, 23 Jan 2026
Marc Guehi during his time with Crystal Palace
Marc Guehi secured a move to Manchester City after coming close to joining Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool has been told Brentford star Nathan Collins is ready for a move to Anfield after the Reds’ failure to land Marc Guehi.
Although a new center-back looks to be high on the list of priorities for Arne Slot’s side, a January move for Guehi was decided against, despite Liverpool coming so close to landing the former Crystal Palace captain during the summer window.
That has enabled Manchester City to swoop in ahead of the Reds and Arsenal to sign the England international for just $27 million (£20M), leaving its rivals to look for other options either now or in the summer.
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Collins is a name that has been linked previously with a move to Anfield, with the 24-year-old having been named as a potential alternative to Guehi just last month.
The Republic of Ireland international has gained plenty of interest since joining Brentford from Wolves in 2023. Collins is rated at around $41 million (€35M - as per Transfermarkt), which would make him an attractive prospect for the Reds.
And former Irish international Kevin Doyle believes Collins is ready for a move to Anfield, having insisted it could be time for him to secure a big transfer.
“A move to Liverpool? I think Nathan Collins is ready,” Doyle told betting site BOYLE Sports.
Nathan Collins has been linked with a move to Liverpool
Nathan Collins has been linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
“He has been around the lower clubs, he's had a number of transfers, he's building his experience and he has plenty of international caps now.
“He's done all the groundwork and if he gets a chance to move, it's time to move and on paper, he has everything, big, strong center-half, good on the ball.
“With Ireland and as a young player, a young center-half, like all young center-halves, he would have a mistake in him every game or two. But he seems to have got rid of that out of his game because that was the only thing holding him back.
“With Ireland, he'd play really well and then he'd give away a simple pass, he's a brilliant passer, and a little thing like that would give away a chance or an opportunity, but he seems to have eradicated that from his game. So, if that's the case and he can keep it like that, he's nailed on for a big club because he's all you want in a center-half.
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“So, there's Liverpool or wherever, but at the moment they seem to be looking for it, Virgil van Dijk is obviously getting older, we don’t know Ibrahima Konate’s situation.
“He's had a number of transfers, Collins, they're all around the £20 million mark, he seems to have gone to three or four clubs in the space of four or five years and it’s great experience.”
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Liverpool.com says: Collins might be one to keep an eye on for that price, although you'd expect Brentford to maximize the amount it would get for him, so don't be surprised if he goes for a lot more. In terms of Liverpool, you suspect the Reds might have their sights set elsewhere, but Collins could come into consideration in order to give them options.