Liverpool’s Missed Opportunity: How Marc Guehi Slipped Away
Liverpool’s summer of high expectations could yet be defined by the one that got away. Amid a record-breaking transfer window, the collapse of Marc Guehi’s move from Crystal Palace now threatens to cast a long shadow over Richard Hughes’ first major recruitment drive as sporting director.
Guehi Deal That Never Happened
As the clock ticked towards deadline day, Liverpool believed they were on the brink of securing Guehi. The 25-year-old England international had undergone a medical, and a deal sheet was submitted to the Premier League. But when Palace failed to find a suitable replacement in time, chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug.
Liverpool’s strategy — waiting until the final week to negotiate a lower fee — was designed to secure the defender at what they viewed as a fair price, around £35 million plus a sell-on clause, according to Gregg Evans in the Athletic. Palace’s £45 million valuation was deemed excessive for a player with just a year left on his contract. It was a calculated gamble that backfired.
Guehi’s enthusiasm to join Liverpool was well-known, but timing proved decisive. Had discussions begun earlier in the window, the move would likely have gone through. Instead, he remains at Selhurst Park, and Liverpool’s defensive depth looks increasingly fragile.
Strategic Misstep in a Busy Window
This was no ordinary summer for Liverpool. Under the leadership of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, the club completed deals for Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz while overseeing a major squad overhaul. Ten players departed, seven on permanent transfers, reflecting the club’s self-sustaining financial model.
In that context, the reluctance to stretch the budget for Guehi appeared consistent with the club’s disciplined approach. Yet, hindsight paints a more complicated picture. With Giovanni Leoni now sidelined for the season and Virgil van Dijk in clear need of rotation, Liverpool’s defence is stretched thin.
The unresolved situation surrounding Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract expires at the end of the season, only adds to the unease. Should the Frenchman leave on a free transfer, Liverpool would lose one of Europe’s most valuable defenders without compensation.
Rising Competition for Guehi
Liverpool’s failure to land Guehi has not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Bayern Munich, who successfully signed Michael Olise from Palace last year, are reportedly preparing a renewed attempt. Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been linked, and with Guehi free to negotiate with overseas clubs from January, the competition could intensify quickly.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner recently described his defender as “able to play for anyone in the world”, a statement that rings true given his recent form. For Liverpool, that reality compounds the frustration — Guehi could have been anchoring their back line rather than opposing them.
Lessons from Past Transfer Gambles
Liverpool’s recruitment team are no strangers to high-stakes decisions. Previous targets such as Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount and Martin Zubimendi slipped away, yet alternative signings like Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister ultimately strengthened the squad.
However, the Guehi case feels different. With results faltering — five defeats in six games and mounting defensive frailties — his absence is being felt acutely. Even if Liverpool eventually secure him next summer, the damage from this campaign could linger.
As Palace visit Anfield in the Carabao Cup, the sight of Guehi marshalling their defence will serve as a painful reminder of what might have been. For all Liverpool’s careful planning and financial prudence, sometimes the price of waiting can be higher than the cost of acting.
