Liverpool’s Defensive Evolution and the Guehi Question

Liverpool’s start to the new Premier League season has been nothing short of emphatic. Arne Slot has taken charge with the confidence of a man who already belongs at Anfield. Three straight victories over Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Arsenal underline a team that looks refreshed and ambitious. Central to this has been a summer of significant change in defence.

Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah and Kostas Tsimikas all departed, leaving space for a new-look back line. Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Milos Kerkez came in, each signing pointing to a manager determined to inject both quality and youth into his squad. Leoni, who arrived from Parma for £26m, already looks set to be a central figure in Slot’s first team.

Marc Guehi pursuit and uncertainty

Liverpool’s failed move for Marc Guehi was one of the final twists of the transfer window. A deal worth £35m had been agreed with Crystal Palace, with the England international even completing his medical before Palace withdrew at the last moment. The collapse of that deal left many supporters expecting Liverpool to revisit the situation in January.

Speaking to Dave Davis for Anfield Index, David Lynch offered a measured take on the club’s next steps. He explained:
“I was keen to play down the idea that they would automatically go for him in January because things change so quickly in football.”

“It seems logical to think that because they missed out on him by a matter of hours, then surely they just go and get him the next time that the window opens.”

“I’m not surprised at all that they won’t go back for him in January.”

Summer could offer fresh possibilities

Lynch suggested that a free transfer in the summer could be a more realistic outcome, but he also stressed the unpredictability of football recruitment.

“The only thing you can say at the moment is that Liverpool really like him, obviously, and maybe they can agree to sign him on a free transfer in the summer.”

“But things change. Someone else might come onto the market that, if Konate leaves, they will need instead of Marc Guehi.”

“You cannot offer any guarantees about how this will play out and there’s a lot up in the air at the moment and that’s without mentioning the fact that other clubs will be in the race to sign him in the summer.”

Spotlight on Leoni’s progress

Much of the debate also comes back to Giovanni Leoni, the young centre back whose development could shape Liverpool’s approach in the transfer market. As Lynch noted:

“It’s hard to say what the development of players will look like. Players at other clubs could take such a leap and be on their radar and also it depends a lot on the progress of Giovanni Leoni too.”

Liverpool’s recruitment team will certainly continue to monitor Guehi, but Slot and his staff will be equally invested in maximising the talent already at their disposal. With momentum already building in the league, how Leoni integrates and how the defensive unit gels will be decisive in whether Liverpool pursue Guehi again or look elsewhere.