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- 1 hours ago
Marc Guehi’s Liverpool move in the balance after ACL injury
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 25 Sept 2025 08:03 BST
- 4 min read
News
Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi’s future has been completely changed by the serious injury that struck Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni.
A €31 million summer signing from Parma, Leoni suffered an ACL tear during his Liverpool debut in the Carabao Cup victory over Southampton on Tuesday.
The issue is set to see the 18-year-old ruled out for the remainder of the season, while there are doubts about the young Italian’s ability to reach his projected potential after such a significant injury blow.
Current ETV
Giovanni Leoni
D (CR)
Liverpool
Giovanni Leoni
D (CR)
Liverpool
ETV Range
€22.9M - €27.9M
In turn, this has changed Liverpool’s stance on the 25-year-old Guehi, who came hours from completing a transfer to Anfield in the summer before the deal broke down.
The Reds had previously planned to sign the England centre-back next summer as a free agent when his contract with Crystal Palace expires, but GiveMeSport reports this may no longer be the case following Leoni’s injury.
Ben Jacobs reports: "I know that Liverpool want four elite centre-backs at the club. They believe in Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni. But if Leoni's injury is significant and severe, they're only left with three options. Then we have to understand whether Liverpool would change their January approach. It's unclear at this stage.”
Big January decision for Liverpool… and Guehi
If Liverpool want four top central defenders in Arne Slot’s squad, a January deal is necessary, but Jacobs does not believe that it necessarily follows that Guehi will move to Anfield.
"What makes the Guehi situation harder is, even if Liverpool or another club want him in January and Crystal Palace are prepared to sell him, he is not necessarily wanting to move mid-season. It's a World Cup year, so he'll want stability and also knows he will become a free agent, so he can take his pick of clubs and probably get a higher wage. I think it's going to be difficult for Guehi to move in January,” Jacobs says.
Real Madrid have also been linked with a move to Guehi, who will have other top options next summer if he chooses to sit it out in January.
What’s clear is that Leoni’s injury has left Liverpool with a big decision to make in a matter of weeks – and that will have significant ramifications for the future of the England star.
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