Liverpool set for major transfer decisions in defence and attack | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Transfer Dilemma: Guehi, Pedro and the Squad Balance Under Arne Slot

The summer transfer window is fast approaching, and Liverpool’s strategy under Arne Slot is beginning to take shape. Speculation around potential signings continues to swirl, with Marc Guehi and João Pedro emerging as names linked to Anfield. On the latest episode of The Media Matters Podcast on Anfield Index, Dave Davis and David Lynch dissected the credibility of these links and the wider implications for Liverpool’s squad structure.

Guehi and Liverpool: A Move That Doesn’t Add Up?

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has been touted as a potential target for Liverpool. However, David Lynch remains sceptical about whether this move makes sense for either party. “I’m not sure he’s massively aerially dominant enough for Liverpool,” he stated, highlighting a crucial factor that could impact any decision.

Lynch also questioned the practicality of Liverpool signing a defender of Guehi’s profile to play a backup role. “The role that Liverpool will be buying for in the summer is going to be the role of Joe Gomez,” he explained. “I know you want a Joe Gomez who is more robust and gets fewer injuries, absolutely. But are you able to sign someone to Marc Guehi’s profile to come in and sit on your bench and do that?”

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Given that Ibrahima Konaté has shown signs of staying fit under Slot’s management, Lynch believes Liverpool may look for a different type of defender—one who is content with a rotational role rather than a guaranteed starter. “If Guehi moves, and he’s been clearly looking for a move for the last couple of windows now, that big move will be to somewhere he plays football,” he added.

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For Guehi, a switch to Liverpool could mean fewer minutes than he might get elsewhere. “It doesn’t make sense to come and sit on Liverpool’s bench, and I don’t think Liverpool will want to give him the wages he’ll want to come and sit on their bench either,” Lynch concluded.

João Pedro: A Fit for Liverpool’s Attack?

On the other end of the pitch, João Pedro has been a name linked with Liverpool in recent weeks. The Brighton forward has been impressive in the Premier League, showing versatility and technical quality. But is he the right player for Liverpool?

Davis acknowledged that the Pedro link makes more sense than some other rumours. “João Pedro, I don’t mind as a link, it kind of makes sense to me,” he admitted. “I’ve no doubt he’s a player they’ll watch.” However, the key question is whether his output is at the level Liverpool need.

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“Is the production quite there at the level Liverpool would be maybe looking for this summer?” Lynch questioned. “He doesn’t look like a guaranteed hit. The goals and assists are not right up there, are they?”

Davis agreed that Pedro is talented but isn’t necessarily a proven top-level finisher just yet. “If that’s the profile they want, and they maybe don’t think Cody Gakpo is right because of the issues he’s got at the moment, João Pedro certainly fits that bill,” he said. “Not one I would like to rule out.”

However, one major obstacle in any move for Pedro is the difficulty of negotiating with Brighton. “Then obviously the big issue is you’ve got to negotiate with Brighton,” Lynch pointed out. “And he’s got a little bit of his contract left, so that’s a tricky one.”

Liverpool’s Squad Strategy and Arne Slot’s Vision

Beyond individual transfers, the broader discussion focused on Liverpool’s overall squad-building approach under Arne Slot. The Dutchman has already made it clear that he favours a smaller, more tightly-knit squad rather than carrying unnecessary depth.

Slot’s philosophy, as Davis put it, could mean fewer signings but with a focus on versatility. “Rather than someone who’s just a pure defensive midfielder who will just sit behind Gravenberch on the bench,” he explained, “it makes more sense to bring in someone who can play across different midfield roles.”

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This principle could extend to Liverpool’s attack and defence, influencing the likelihood of a Guehi or Pedro transfer. If Liverpool are unwilling to sign players who won’t get significant minutes, these moves may not materialise at all.

Big Decisions Ahead

Liverpool’s summer plans will become clearer in the coming months, but as David Lynch and Dave Davis discussed, some of the transfer links may not hold much weight. Guehi’s desire for regular football makes a Liverpool move unlikely, while Pedro’s ability is not in question—but whether he fits into Slot’s tactical vision remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: Liverpool’s approach under Arne Slot is going to look different. The days of signing players just for depth appear to be over. The club’s recruitment strategy will be about quality over quantity, and only players who can contribute significantly will be prioritised.