Liverpool fans found themselves bewildered on deadline day when their ambitious pursuit of Marc Guehi faltered. The Reds had successfully agreed on a £35 million fee with Crystal Palace and even facilitated a medical examination for the 25-year-old defender at their London offices. However, Palace admitted they were unable to secure a replacement in time. Manager Oliver Glasner ultimately decided it was too risky to let go of his captain without adequate cover—a decision that must have felt like watching your boat sail away while still trying to fix the leaks.
Maintaining Hope Amid Setbacks
Despite this setback, Liverpool remains optimistic. Negotiations with Guehi’s representatives are still ongoing, with plans to rekindle interest when the transfer window opens again in January. But as any seasoned supporter knows, having a backup plan is essential—especially when pursuing one of England’s top defenders.
Enter Maxence Lacroix
Scouts at Anfield have shifted their focus to Maxence Lacroix, a 24-year-old French centre-back. His performances this season have caught their attention, as he exhibits the composure and aerial strength capable of stabilizing even the most high-octane defensive lines. Mick Brown, a former chief scout for Manchester United and Sunderland, highlights the current market challenges, stating that finding quality centre-backs is increasingly difficult. While he still considers Guehi Liverpool’s top priority, he acknowledges that securing a player of similar caliber at an equivalent price could prove challenging.
Potential Alternatives
Should Palace resist parting ways with both Guehi and Lacroix, Liverpool may find themselves at a crossroads. They will need to consider whether to continue pursuing their primary target or shift their attention to Lacroix as a viable alternative.
Urgent Need for Defensive Reinforcements
With Giovanni Leoni currently sidelined due to injury, the urgency for defensive additions has intensified. Liverpool is reportedly exploring multiple avenues, with five names on their shortlist that include both established Premier League players and emerging European talents. Regardless of the path they choose, it is crucial for Liverpool to strengthen their defense in order to maintain high standards across all competitions.
Guehi’s Contract Situation
Adding another layer of intrigue to the situation is Guehi’s expiring contract, which runs until the end of the season. Major clubs such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich are reportedly preparing pre-contract agreements, while Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester City, and Chelsea have also shown interest in monitoring his circumstances. If Liverpool miss out on Guehi, they may find themselves scrambling for a less ideal alternative.
The Countdown to January
As the calendar inches closer to January, Liverpool’s defensive future hangs in the balance. Whether it involves finally securing Guehi, prying Lacroix away from south London, or discovering an unexpected dark-horse option, the club’s strategy will be critical. And in a humorous twist, one could imagine them training the next Lionel Messi as a centre-half—now, that would make for quite an interesting footnote in football history.