Marc Guehi argument slammed by Gary Neville as £50m Liverpool problem emerges

Marc Guehi was close to joining Liverpool this summer, with a £35million deal on the table before Crystal Palace pulled the plug after failing to land a replacement

Gary Neville reckons Marc Guehi was right not to kick up a fuss to force a move to Liverpool and insists the centre back’s exemplary conduct will serve him well moving forward. Guehi came close to completing a move to Anfield this summer, only for the deal to collapse on deadline day after Crystal Palace failed to secure a replacement.

The 25-year-old, who has entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, was the subject of extensive interest, with Liverpool leading the pursuit and agreeing on a £35million fee before the move fell through.

Despite the intense speculation, Guehi remained fully committed to Palace, continuing to train and play without disruption. This contrasted with the approach of players such as Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa, who both actively and aggressively pushed for moves away from Newcastle and Brentford – and got them.

READ MORE: Marc Guehi’s three-word response after putting Liverpool transfer saga behind himREAD MORE: Liverpool now in no doubt after Marc Guehi response to deadline day transfer collapse

Many fans and pundits argued that Guehi’s professionalism may have prevented him from completing the move, claiming he should have been more assertive in the same way others had been. Neville, however, firmly disagrees with that perspective, praising Guehi for his mature approach and suggesting it is the best path forward.

“There was narrative that was like you’re better off being Alexander Isak because you’ll get your move, than being Marc Guehi who doesn’t,” Neville said on the Stick to Football podcast. “But I was thinking no, [because] in the long run, 70 years of your life, it will pay you back.”

Neville also highlighted Guehi’s tactful handling of questions about the Liverpool situation following England’s victory over Serbia on Tuesday. “There was an interview with Marc Guehi. I thought it was brilliant,” the former Manchester United defender said.

“I thought the class, the way in which he handled the question around the situation with Liverpool. He had a smile on his face. He was so relaxed. It was just his manner and the way he dealt with it. He didn’t antagonise, he didn’t come out with anything smart. You can just tell he’s a really good guy.”

When ITV asked Guehi about how the past few days had been, he responded cheerfully: “It’s been great!” Later, after being questioned on whether integrating with the national team was difficult “after what happened,” Guehi answered: “It’s always easy coming here, such a good group of players, good group of staff. We are all working towards one goal. Really enjoyable. Always good to be here.”

Clearly, he is handling the situation with calm professionalism. From Liverpool’s perspective, however, Guehi’s decision has left them vulnerable.

Neville speculated on the potential consequences for the Reds, who are still thin at the back. “I wonder if Liverpool will regret [not signing Guehi],” he said. “If, say, Konate gets injured, [will they regret] not [offering Palace] like £45m-£50m and just getting him over the line?”

Jamie Carragher also weighed in, highlighting defensive concerns: “That’s the one area where Liverpool [have problems]. It’s three games in. Liverpool have got nine points out of nine, not played that well… [centre-back] is the one area that could come back and blow up in their face because they haven’t really got [quality cover].

“What Guehi was giving Liverpool was competition at centre-back. They haven’t got that,” Carragher continued. “They’ve got two starters and two understudies. Joe Gomez is injury prone and the young lad who’s only 18 and come from Italy [Giovanni Leoni], he’s going to be a great prospect. But if you think that one of them had to play for a couple of months, it could be a big [problem].”

Liverpool’s summer outlay, estimated around £450m, largely focused on attacking reinforcements, with over £300m spent on Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike. Defensive additions included promising youngster Leoni and full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. However, the team’s early defensive record suggests vulnerabilities, with six goals conceded in their first three matches.

Guehi’s disciplined approach may have inadvertently left Liverpool without the defensive boost they needed. Notably, Guehi had already completed his medical and could have pressured Palace into a transfer once the club failed to bring in a replacement, after Igor Julio’s move to West Ham derailed the Eagles’ plans to sign him.

Others have shown how such tactics can pay off. Nicolas Jackson, for instance, reportedly refused to return to Chelsea after his Bayern Munich loan collapsed late in the window. His stand-off forced the Blues to recall Marc Guiu from Sunderland instead, ultimately clearing the way for Jackson’s deadline day switch to Germany.

Isak took even more aggressive steps to force his move, skipping training and Newcastle’s pre-season tour before reportedly vowing to never play for the club again, regardless of whether a transfer materialised. Guehi, by contrast, has remained steadfastly professional – a decision which could ultimately cost Liverpool.

That said, if Liverpool manage to sign him as a free agent next year, the club can be assured they are bringing in a player of exceptional character – a factor that may prove invaluable on and off the pitch, and well worth waiting for.

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