Liverpool suffer fresh defensive setback following Giovanni Leoni ACL blow
Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi in the January window has hit a major stumbling block.
The Reds had originally resigned themselves to revisiting a deal for the Crystal Palace defender next summer after talks collapsed during the last transfer market. But Giovanni Leoni’s long-term ACL injury has left the club short at centre-back, forcing them to reconsider their stance.
Even so, Guehi’s willingness to join Liverpool remains uncertain. According to Football Insider, the England international privately blames Arne Slot’s side for the collapse of his summer move to Anfield. Despite Liverpool being prepared to meet Palace’s valuation, Eagles boss Oliver Glasner blocked the deal late on, leaving Richard Hughes and his team empty-handed.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has also suggested that a fresh January approach may not be wise. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Guehi is prioritising stability and intends to keep his options open for next summer, when he could have his pick of Europe’s elite clubs.
That reality is far from ideal for Liverpool, who now face a season with just three fit senior centre-halves. To complicate matters further, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich are expected to enter the race for Guehi. Madrid could lose Dayot Upamecano on a free, while Bayern may part ways with both David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger in 2026.
In short, if Liverpool are to convince Guehi to choose Merseyside, they’ll have to fend off heavyweight competition and move decisively at the next opportunity.
