Journalist reveals ‘doubts’ over Liverpool’s move for Marc Guehi | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Centre-back Conundrum Deepens

Liverpool have spent much of this season navigating a centre-back dilemma that has tested both squad depth and recruitment planning. The long-term injury to Giovanni Leoni, the missed opportunity to secure Marc Guehi and the increasing physical demands of competing on multiple fronts have pushed the Premier League champions into a position where January may require a decisive move.

Injury Setbacks and Transfer Frustrations

Richard Hughes believed he had futureproofed the defence when Liverpool secured Giovanni Leoni from Parma for £26m. The Italian was viewed as one of Europe’s most promising teenage defenders, yet his torn ACL on debut has ended any hope of him contributing this campaign. That unfortunate moment instantly placed extra strain on Arne Slot’s preferred rotation.

The failure to land Marc Guehi on deadline day only intensified those concerns. The Crystal Palace captain looked close to completing the switch, but the deal collapsed late and now Liverpool face the prospect of battling multiple European heavyweights for his signature. Guehi’s situation remains intriguing, either as a potential January deal or a Bosman in the summer, but nothing is guaranteed.

Photo: IMAGO

For now Slot is relying on Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez. All three have delivered strong performances this season, but their fitness histories underline the risks of entering a decisive period with so few senior options.

Flexibility Required in Winter Window

TeamTalk’s report from Dean Jones captures Liverpool’s stance with clarity.“Obviously, they have been hoping to sign Marc Guehi after failing to land him in the summer, but there are some doubts about that happening, especially in January, and I have heard they might yet consider finding someone to bridge the gap and help them in the second half of the season,” the report reads.

“They would only do it for the right player, but, from what I understand, they are open-minded about the prospect of finding an experienced figure to come in and give them a new sense of resilience in defence.

“It’s not something that is completely decided at this stage, but I do think that there is a realisation they could do with another player to come in because they are vulnerable in defence.

“I don’t know exactly where they are at in terms of identifying the ideal new defensive option, but there are some early indications that they could move for an attainable player.

“That could be someone with an expiring contract, or someone who is on the fringes somewhere else, who might fancy the challenge of coming in and making an impact.”

Candidates for a Short-term Solution

If Liverpool do explore the experienced market, there are intriguing candidates with contracts expiring in 2026. Marco Senesi feels like a more viable option given his Bournemouth connection with Richard Hughes, while Eric Garcia remains an interesting technical defender who may seek a new challenge upon the expiry of his contract.

Liverpool’s willingness to consider a three-man defensive system further emphasises the need for reinforcements. Champions often strengthen from positions of authority, and Slot has shown he values tactical adaptability. A fourth centre-back who offers reliability rather than glamour could be precisely what the second half of the season demands.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool supporters will read this report with a mix of curiosity and caution. The memory of last winter’s injury crisis remains fresh and the idea of entering another high-stakes period with only three fit centre-backs feels like unnecessary jeopardy. Slot’s system encourages aggressive positioning from his centre-halves and that increases the need for durable squad depth.

Many fans still see Marc Guehi as the ideal long-term partner for van Dijk’s eventual successor. Whether Liverpool can win that race is another matter entirely, especially with continental clubs circling. Supporters might worry that waiting until the summer risks losing him altogether, but they also understand that January often produces inflated fees and complex negotiations.

The prospect of an experienced short-term signing will split opinion. Some will point to the success Liverpool had with temporary options in past seasons, while others remember stopgap signings who struggled to adapt. What is clear is that Slot has earned trust through his Premier League winning debut season and his judgement in this area will likely receive strong backing.

Names like Senesi feel realistic, sensible and aligned with Hughes’ recruitment patterns. More adventurous suggestions such as Upamecano or Garcia seem unlikely but are useful reminders of the calibre potentially available on a free next year. Regardless of who arrives, supporters will feel reassured that the club recognises the vulnerability and is acting with intent.