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Mark Lawrenson | Local Library
The Liverpool legend was discussing Liverpool’s failure to sign Marc Guehi in the summer transfer window.
Mark Lawrenson has suggested that Liverpool's failure to sign Marc Guehi has impacted their season.
The Reds have endured a lacklustre 2025-26 campaign after winning the Premier League title in Arne Slot's maiden season in charge. Liverpool are just fifth in the table while they will go without silverware following elimination from the Champions League quarter-finals at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool have conceded too many goals throughout, with centre-back captain Virgil van Dijk's form dipping while Ibrahima Konate has had his struggles. The Reds did try to bring i Guehi from Crystal Palace on summer transfer deadline day, with a £35 million fee agreed before the Eagles pulled the plug at the 11th hour. Guehi subsequently signed for Manchester City in January.
Liverpool did recruit Giovanni Leoni from Parma last summer and the 19-year-old suffered luck when rupturing his ACL during an impressive debut last September.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Anfield legend Lawrenson replied when asked if Liverpool missing out on England international Guehi has played a part in their woes: "One-hundred per cent, absolutely.
“It looked for a while, we were hearing certainly that he was going to go to Liverpool, then all of a sudden it completely changed and that scuppered their plans.
“The other thing as well is the young Italian guy they’ve got, he’s going to be an absolutely outstanding player, but of course he’s coming seriously injured as well, so he’s not played.
“So, he’s not been lucky, the manager, with injuries, but everybody gets them and you’ve just got to deal with it.”
Leoni is currently on the long comeback trail from injury. He is not expected to play again this summer despite recently being pictured training outside at the AXA Training Centre.
While Leoni will be an option next season, there is uncertainty around the Reds’ central defensive options. Konate is out of contract and, as things stand, will leave on a free transfer. Meanwhile, Van Dijk turns 35 in July and sees his contract expire in 2027. Joe Gomez, who has been plagued by fitness issues over the past few years, will also be out of contract next year.
Liverpool have agreed to sign Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for up to £60 million. He is only aged 20, though, and is currently recovering from a shoulder injury.
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