Liverpool’s January transfer window has suddenly taken on a familiar and uncomfortable feeling, one that supporters know all too well. Once again, the club finds itself locked in a tense race for a top defensive target, once again Manchester City are circling, and once again Pep Guardiola threatens to arrive late and take what Liverpool believed was theirs. This time the player at the centre of the storm is Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace captain, England international, and one of the most respected young centre-backs in the Premier League. What makes the situation even more painful for Liverpool is the growing sense that history may repeat itself twice in the same window, with Guardiola already having beaten Arne Slot to one major signing and now pushing hard to do it again.
Liverpool’s interest in Marc Guehi is not new. It did not start this January and it did not begin with a sudden panic over injuries or form. The Reds have tracked Guehi for a long time, watching his development at Crystal Palace, admiring his calmness on the ball, his leadership at a young age, and his ability to defend one-on-one against the very best attackers in England. Last summer, everything seemed to fall into place. Liverpool were ready, Palace were willing, and a fee of around £35 million had been agreed. Deadline Day arrived with excitement, belief, and confidence among Liverpool fans that a major defensive reinforcement was on the way.
Then, in the final hours, it all collapsed. Palace pulled out. The deal died suddenly and painfully. Liverpool were left shocked, supporters were left frustrated, and Marc Guehi stayed in London wearing Palace colours. For many at Anfield, that missed opportunity still stings. It felt like a deal that should never have failed. It felt like one that would come back around. Now, months later, it has returned, but with far more danger attached.
Liverpool are still interested in Guehi, and nothing about that has changed. If anything, their need is even greater. The club is entering a new era under Arne Slot, and while optimism surrounds the Dutch coach, there is also realism. Liverpool’s defence needs refreshing. Experience, leadership, and durability are all required, especially in a season where expectations remain sky-high. Guehi fits the profile perfectly. He is Premier League proven, still young enough to grow, and already mature enough to command a back line. For Slot, he represents a defender who can adapt to different tactical systems without losing his identity.
However, the longer Liverpool wait, the more the situation drifts out of their control. Manchester City are now fully involved, and when Guardiola decides he wants a player, the entire dynamic of a transfer changes instantly. According to reports, City are not just monitoring Guehi, they are intent on signing him. Talks have already begun. Persuasion is underway. And crucially, City are prepared to match any offer Palace might receive. That single detail alone should alarm everyone connected to Liverpool.
City’s interest adds a heavy layer of pressure. Crystal Palace know they are selling a valuable asset. Guehi is their captain, their defensive leader, and one of the main reasons they remain competitive against stronger sides. But Palace also know that keeping him beyond this year is unlikely. His contract situation, his ambition, and the level of interest all point to a departure. The question is not if he will leave, but where he will go.
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For Liverpool, the fear is obvious. They risk being snubbed again. Last summer was bad enough, losing him because Palace changed their mind. Losing him now, permanently, to Manchester City would feel far worse. It would be a direct defeat, a reminder of the power City hold in the market, and a psychological blow to a new manager trying to build momentum.
What complicates things further is the suggestion that Guehi himself is open to a move to Manchester. Earlier reports claimed he preferred Liverpool, attracted by Anfield, the club’s history, and the promise of being a central figure in a new project. But preferences can change quickly. Champions League guarantees, recent trophies, squad depth, and Guardiola’s reputation all matter. City do not just offer success, they offer a pathway to becoming one of the best players in the world under one of the best coaches in history.
This is where the battle becomes personal between Guardiola and Slot. It is not just about clubs, money, or contracts. It is about influence. Guardiola has built a reputation that speaks louder than words. Players listen when he calls. They believe him when he talks about improvement, trophies, and legacy. Slot, for all his promise, is still new to this level. He is still establishing his authority in England. Losing a target like Guehi to Guardiola would underline that difference brutally.
And this may not even be the first time it has happened this month. Liverpool fans are already nursing fresh wounds from the Antoine Semenyo saga. The winger was seen as a long-term option, possibly even a future replacement for Mohamed Salah. His power, pace, and ability to stretch defences made him attractive. Liverpool were keen. Interest was genuine. But again, Manchester City moed faster and stronger.
City paid Bournemouth £64 million, confirmed the deal early in January, and wasted no time integrating Semenyo into the squad. The impact was instant. A debut goal in the FA Cup. A strong contribution in the Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United. It felt effortless, almost routine, the kind of signing City make look easy while others struggle.
For Liverpool, watching Semenyo thrive in sky blue was painful. It was another reminder of how fine the margins are at the top. Miss a moment, hesitate for too long, and the opportunity disappears. Now, with Guehi, the same pattern threatens to repeat itself, but with even greater consequences.
Defensive stability is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Liverpool’s recent seasons have shown how quickly injuries and fatigue can derail a campaign. Guehi would not just be a squad option, he would be a cornerstone. His leadership at Palace is not accidental. Teammates trust him. Managers rely on him. England managers select him because he understands positioning, discipline, and responsibility.
Manchester City see the same qualities. They are always planning ahead, always refreshing their squad before decline sets in. Guehi would fit seamlessly into City’s system, capable of playing in a back four or adapting to Guardiola’s flexible defensive structures. For City, this is not just about strengthening themselves, it is also about weakening rivals.
If City sign Guehi, they remove a potential solution for Liverpool while adding depth and quality to their own squad. That is the double blow Guardiola specialises in delivering. It is why Liverpool must act decisively if they are serious about winning this race.
The longer the saga drags on, the more twists and turns will emerge. New reports, conflicting claims, leaked preferences, and strategic briefings are all part of the modern transfer circus. But beneath the noise, the reality is simple. Liverpool must decide how badly they want Marc Guehi. If they hesitate, City will not.
There is also the emotional aspect. Liverpool fans remember last summer. They remember how close it felt. They remember the disappointment. Seeing the same story unfold again, with Manchester City stepping in, would feel like a lesson not learned. For Arne Slot, this is an early test of his authority and ambition. Can he convince the club to move quickly? Can he sell his vision to a player being courted by the most successful manager in the league?
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, appears calm and confident. He has already won one battle this window. Winning a second would send a clear message. It would reinforce City’s dominance not just on the pitch, but in the transfer market. It would show that even in a rebuilding phase, Liverpool remain vulnerable tobeing outmanoeuvred.
Marc Guehi stands at the centre of it all, aware that his next decision could define his career. Liverpool offer history, passion, and a chance to be a leader in a new era. Manchester City offer trophies, stability, and the guidance of a proven genius. Palace, watching closely, will choose the deal that benefits them most.
As January progresses, the tension will only grow. Every day without clarity increases anxiety at Anfield. Every report linking Guehi more strongly with City feels like a warning. Liverpool have been here before. They know how this story can end.
Whether they allow it to end the same way again will define this transfer window, shape Arne Slot’s early months, and perhaps determine the balance of power at the top of the Premier League for seasons to come.
