Marc Guehi breaks silence on joining Man City over Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool, Guehi and Manchester City, Transfer Fate Sets Stage for Anfield Return

Collapsed Liverpool Move Revisited

Few transfer sagas linger in the memory quite like the one involving Liverpool, Marc Guehi and a deal that slipped away at the final moment. The England centre back stood on the brink of completing a £35m switch from Crystal Palace to Anfield last summer. Personal terms were progressing, medical plans were advancing, and Liverpool believed they had secured a defensive pillar for the long term.

Then came the abrupt halt. Palace withdrew from the agreement late in the window, forcing Liverpool to reassess their defensive plans. Timing proved costly. With injuries testing depth across the season, the absence of Guehi became a recurring talking point among supporters and analysts alike.

Photo: IMAGO

Four months later, the narrative twisted further. Manchester City moved decisively in January, securing Guehi for £20m as his contract in south London edged towards expiry. From Liverpool’s near capture to City’s opportunistic acquisition, the defender’s trajectory shifted dramatically within half a year.

Manchester City Opportunity Emerges

Manchester City’s recruitment has long thrived on precision. Identifying contractual leverage and acting swiftly allowed Pep Guardiola’s side to land a proven Premier League defender below his previous valuation.

For Guehi, the move represented both progression and platform. Joining a serial title contender offered exposure to elite competition, tactical development, and silverware contention. Yet the circumstances of the transfer ensured that Liverpool remained part of his story.

His first return to Anfield in City colours carries narrative weight. What might have been now becomes what stands before him, opposition rather than allegiance.

“God’s Plan” Statement Adds Edge

Ahead of the fixture, Guehi addressed the transfer that reshaped his career path, framing events through a lens of destiny.

He told Sky Sports: “I said in previous interviews, it wasn’t really up to me. It was God’s plan, and God’s plan has come to full fruition. I’m just looking forward to the game, against tough opposition, in a great environment, and we’ll be doing our best to get a win.”

Those words add emotional charge to an already compelling encounter. Supporters often invest deeply in transfer pursuits, and Liverpool fans had envisaged Guehi anchoring their defence for years. Hearing fate cited as the decisive factor may not soften the disappointment of a deal that unravelled so late.

Anfield Atmosphere Awaits

While frustration lingers, focus now shifts firmly to the contest itself. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, continue to build on the Premier League triumph delivered in 2024/25, with defensive resilience central to their ambitions.

Injuries have disrupted continuity at the back across the campaign, testing depth and adaptability. Yet expectations are that Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will marshal the defensive line against Manchester City’s attacking threats.

Guehi’s presence in the away dressing room rather than the home one will stir reflection, but elite football rarely allows time for sentiment. Liverpool’s objective remains immediate, securing momentum in pursuit of Champions League qualification and reinforcing Anfield as a fortress.

Sliding doors moments define careers and clubs alike. For Liverpool, Guehi represents one that got away. For Manchester City, he symbolises opportunism rewarded. On matchday, only performance will matter, and Anfield will demand nothing less than complete focus from all involved.