Liverpool’s Missed Opportunity: Why Marc Guehi Could Have Changed Their Season
Liverpool’s summer transfer window was widely praised for its ambition and balance, yet one failed deal continues to cast a long shadow. When talks with Crystal Palace for Marc Guehi collapsed on deadline day, few imagined how quickly the repercussions would become apparent. Two months on, Liverpool’s defensive frailties have become one of the defining narratives of Arne Slot’s early reign.
Missed Move and Lingering Regret
The Reds came close to sealing a ÂŁ35 million deal for Guehi, only for Palace to withdraw their agreement late on. At the time, it felt frustrating but far from disastrous. Yet with each passing week, that failed move has begun to look increasingly costly. Liverpool remain interested, but their chances of landing the England defender appear to be fading.
Guehi, now 25, has informed Palace he will not be extending his contract, allowing him to speak with clubs outside England from 1 January. Reports in Germany claim Bayern Munich have already initiated contact, viewing him as a potential free transfer target next summer. If that move materialises, Liverpool’s hesitation could stand as one of the more painful what-ifs of their campaign.
Defensive Struggles Exposed
Liverpool’s back line has struggled to find consistency. Ibrahima Konaté, once seen as a cornerstone for the next generation, has endured a turbulent start to the season. Questions over form, fitness and focus have grown, with speculation linking him to Real Madrid unsettling both player and club. Slot has had little choice but to persist with him, given the lack of reliable alternatives.
Joe Gomez’s injury record continues to limit his involvement, while full-backs Milos Kerkez and Conor Bradley have found the Premier League’s demands unforgiving. Kerkez, a £40m signing from Bournemouth, has appeared uncertain defensively, while Bradley has struggled to make the right flank his own.
Even Virgil van Dijk, the leader and organiser, has looked agitated at times, gesturing and remonstrating with teammates during matches. Sources around the club suggest communication at the back has deteriorated, a stark contrast to the composure once synonymous with Liverpool’s defence.
Guehi’s Influence at Crystal Palace
For Palace, Guehi remains indispensable. His leadership, calmness in possession and positional awareness have defined Oliver Glasner’s defence. It was his assist, in fact, that set up Eddie Nketiah’s stoppage-time winner when Palace ended Liverpool’s unbeaten run in late September. That moment, symbolic and costly, underlined the very qualities Liverpool lack.
Had they acted sooner — offering Palace slightly more to secure the deal — Guehi might already be anchoring Slot’s defence. Instead, Liverpool hesitated, leaving Palace without the time or options to replace their captain. Commentators have not held back in their assessment. Speaking on BBC 5 Live’s Football Daily, Rick Edwards labelled the delay “very, very poor”, while journalist Luke Edwards agreed that Liverpool “should have paid what Crystal Palace wanted”.
Lessons for Liverpool’s Recruitment
Liverpool’s recruitment team has earned widespread respect for its precision and planning, but the Guehi situation has revealed the danger of over-calculating negotiations. The Reds’ defence — once a model of discipline — now looks uncertain, and the absence of the composed England international feels increasingly glaring.
Slot’s system, built on aggressive pressing and high positioning, demands defenders comfortable under pressure. Guehi fits that mould perfectly — technically sharp, tactically astute and mentally steady. His arrival might have stabilised a defensive unit currently short on confidence and cohesion.
With the January window approaching, Liverpool face a dilemma. Do they re-enter the race, risking another drawn-out saga, or look elsewhere for reinforcement? Either way, their summer hesitation has handed control to others. If Guehi seals a move abroad, Liverpool’s missed opportunity will linger as one of the season’s defining regrets.
