Liverpool Push Hard For Marc Guehi As January Priority Emerges
Liverpool’s winter window plans are beginning to sharpen into focus and the clearest message from within the club is that defensive reinforcement is now essential. Caught Offside’s reporting highlights how rapidly the situation has escalated after the defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield, a result that left Arne Slot’s side drifting in 11th place and struggling to rediscover the resilience that delivered last season’s title triumph.
The team have conceded 20 goals in 12 Premier League matches and that statistic has crystallised the recruitment department’s thinking. Sporting director Richard Hughes has been working through a carefully profiled shortlist, but one name is clearly moving ahead of the rest.
Rising Momentum Behind Guehi Pursuit
Marc Guehi has become the most prominent target for January. The Crystal Palace and England defender, still only 25, has long been admired at Anfield. His summer links never materialised into a move but circumstances have changed. Palace’s increasingly tricky contract situation with the player has made talks more realistic and Caught Offside’s sources claim Liverpool are now leading the race for his signature.
Crucially, he fits the exact profile Slot and Hughes want. A strong organiser, composed on the ball, and consistent across multiple systems, Guehi offers immediate Premier League readiness, something that could not be guaranteed with alternatives playing abroad. His reliability makes him the frontrunner as Liverpool look to halt their defensive slide.
Alternative Options Still Tracked
The shortlist is deep, as Caught Offside reported. Nico Schlotterbeck has impressed Liverpool scouts with his tactical intelligence and commanding style, particularly with Borussia Dortmund increasingly open to a sale at the right price. Antonio Silva remains one of Europe’s most coveted young defenders at 22, although Benfica’s valuation and competition from Real Madrid and Manchester United make this a complex pursuit.
Gonçalo Inácio also remains firmly admired for his left-footed balance and ability to build play, while Dayot Upamecano is viewed as an opportunistic option depending on Bayern Munich’s stance. Yet none of these options currently carry the momentum of Guehi.
Guehi Emerges As Most Realistic Solution
Given Liverpool’s need for immediate impact, Guehi looks the most accessible signing. Caught Offside reported that “Marc Guehi is the top target for Liverpool ahead of January window” and that he has “admirers at Anfield” with the added benefit that “his contract situation at Palace makes his signing more achievable.” In a squad lacking defensive consistency, his arrival could stabilise both structure and mentality at a crucial moment of the season.
Our View, Anfield Index Analysis
Liverpool supporters will read this report with a mixture of relief and urgency. The idea of moving decisively for Marc Guehi feels like the most sensible approach the club could take right now. His Premier League experience, positional discipline, and calm under pressure all tick the boxes that the current backline have struggled to meet this season. Many fans have pointed to the lack of rotation options behind Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate and the report only reinforces that point. Joe Gomez has filled multiple roles but cannot be expected to carry every defensive issue.
The timing also matters. Slot needs a defender who can slot straight in, adapt quickly, and contribute immediately. Guehi feels far more ready made for that challenge compared to the continental options. Supporters will also appreciate his leadership qualities, something that has arguably been missing whenever Liverpool have been under the cosh.
There will always be intrigue around names like Antonio Silva or Gonçalo Inácio but fans are increasingly aware that Liverpool need clarity rather than glamour in this window. Guehi gives them precisely that. If the club can execute this early in January, momentum could shift rapidly in Slot’s favour and the second half of the campaign would look far more stable than the turbulent opening months.
