Former red urges Liverpool to bring in premier league star as quickly as possible | OneFootball

Glen Johnson urges Liverpool to sign Guehi in January transfer window

Johnson calls for Liverpool to act quickly

Former Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson believes the club must move fast to strengthen their defence in January, naming Marc Guehi as the ideal signing to partner Virgil van Dijk.

Speaking to Ace Odds, Johnson urged Arne Slot to bring in the Crystal Palace centre-back to help address Liverpool’s defensive imbalance following a poor run of form. The Reds have struggled for consistency at the back this season, with the defeat at Brentford exposing familiar issues. Slot’s side conceded three goals in that 3-2 loss, continuing a worrying trend of defensive fragility.

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“Guehi, everyone’s been speaking about him for a while,” Johnson said. “I think he’s got all the credentials to slot in perfectly. More importantly for me, I think he’s the right age to be able to do it with Van Dijk for a year or two. Whether Van Dijk has been himself or not is debatable. But in terms of being alongside someone you can learn an awful lot from playing with or training with or being in the dressing room with, that I think can be massive for Marc’s future as well. The sooner you sign him, the better.”

Defensive issues under Slot

Liverpool’s problems at the back have been evident since the start of the campaign. The side has conceded 11 more goals than Arsenal after just nine league matches, a statistic that reflects both structural flaws and individual lapses.

Despite summer investment, the defensive unit has struggled to settle. Johnson believes Guehi’s arrival would not only offer immediate stability but also long-term value. At 24, the England international has shown maturity and composure under pressure, standing out as one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders.

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Guehi was close to joining Liverpool on deadline day last summer before Crystal Palace pulled out of the deal after failing to find a replacement. Since then, the defender’s stock has continued to rise, attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Contract situation could prompt January move

Guehi’s current contract with Palace is set to expire at the end of the season. Manager Oliver Glasner has already confirmed that the player rejected a new deal, opening the door to potential suitors.

“They offered Marc a new contract, but he said, ‘No, I want to make something different’, and that’s normal,” Glasner said earlier this season. “It’s how we can deal with this situation. (What) is the best way to get this next step done? And that’s all about how we are talking together.”

For Liverpool, that next step could mean acting decisively in January rather than waiting until the summer, when competition for the defender’s signature could intensify.

Liverpool face selection test

Liverpool’s defensive options have been stretched further by Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury, leaving Joe Gomez as the most likely candidate to feature in the upcoming League Cup tie against Palace. Wataru Endo could also be used in a deeper defensive role.

If Slot’s team are to regain their resilience, reinforcements will be crucial. Johnson’s comments echo the wider sentiment around Anfield, that Liverpool must act with urgency to restore defensive solidity and provide Van Dijk with the support he needs.