Liverpool’s hopes for Guehi take a hit after unusual Palace injury
Marc Guehi had begun the initial stages of a medical ahead of a potential Liverpool move on transfer deadline day, but the deal fell through at the last minute.
Liverpool’s plans to sign Guehi next month could face complications after Crystal Palace centre-back Chris Richards was stretchered off during their Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal. Richards sustained a heavy foot injury following an accidental clash with Gabriel Jesus. The match was paused, and Richards had to be taken off the field.
After the game, Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed: “He received a knock, a stamp on his foot, and needed stitches. I don’t know the exact number, but it’s a few. The doctor says it doesn’t look too serious. I’m hopeful he’ll recover. I’m unsure if he’ll be ready for the Tottenham game, but I hope he can play against Fulham.”
Richards’ injury posed a problem for Glasner, who had no natural centre-backs on the bench. Consequently, Will Hughes came on to replace Richards, with Jefferson Lerma moving into the backline.
Guehi, whose contract expires at the end of the season, nearly joined Liverpool in September. A £35 million transfer collapsed on deadline day after Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish withdrew the deal, having been unable to secure a replacement.
Liverpool remain interested in Guehi, though it is uncertain whether they will pursue him next month. The England international is also reportedly attracting interest from overseas, including Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid. Manchester City are believed to be monitoring him as well. Parish has suggested there may be further departures from Selhurst Park, despite Palace being on course for back-to-back European qualification.
“We’re already thinking about players we might need to replace this summer,” Parish said earlier this month. “We can’t just spend recklessly; there’s a limit to what we can afford. You need guardrails, or you’ll create problems down the line. Prices went up massively in the summer—it’s a tough market.
“There wasn’t the right option at the right time when the finances were ready. You can’t force moves just for the sake of it. For example, with Marc [Guehi], we decided to keep him. You can’t always get what you want. We’re realistic about our position; you can ask why other clubs bid for our players right before the window closes—I don’t know their reasoning.”
In the latest Blood Red edition, Andy Dunn highlighted that Virgil van Dijk will need support from Liverpool’s senior players to share leadership responsibilities, as the club experiences its worst run of form since the 1950s.