Marc Guehi has done Liverpool a favour by joining Man City – here’s why

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 Jan 2026 15:25 CST
• 4 min read

Analysis

Marc Guehi’s decision to turn down Liverpool and instead move to Manchester City might have done the Anfield club a favour in the long run.

The Reds were on the brink of signing Guehi last summer only for the deal to fall apart on Deadline Day as Crystal Palace pulled the plug on the move at the last. They did not do the same for City, who signed him for €23 million (£20m) on Monday.

While there is little doubt that Pep Guardiola’s side got a bargain, Liverpool can do better.

Liverpool chase Bastoni

In response to City’s signing of Guehi, the Anfield club have identified Alessandro Bastoni as their top transfer target.

The Italy international may be one year older and significantly more expensive – he will cost around €80m given he has more than two years left to run on his contract – but crucially he is a smarter signing.

A suitable Guehi alternative

Bastoni and Guehi are very similar players, according to data analytics firm SciSports. Both profile as ball playing defenders who have strong attributes for ball winning defenders. They are, therefore, similar players.

In terms of quality, though, the experts believe that Bastoni is a step up on the England man. SciSports give every player a SciSkill rating based on hundreds of in-game statistics. Bastoni’s current figure is 115.0, whereas Guehi only sits at 108.2.

In terms of his statistics this season, Guehi has significantly higher figures in key metrics such as disruptions in own box, blocking and blocking shots, yet this can be put down to the fact that he simply has much more defending to do. Crystal Palace allow their opponents 22.1 touches in their box in the Premier League compared to Inter’s 12.1 in Serie A.

Bastoni more suitable for Liverpool

Perhaps the most encouraging news for Liverpool, though, is that Bastoni is actually a better fit for Arne Slot’s team than Marc Guehi – albeit only marginally. SciSports’ Career Advice tool measures suitability using a variety of different metrics from development and game time, to playing style and formation.

The Italian has a Club Fit score of 76 at Liverpool, marginally ahead of Guehi’s 74.

Both players have the same pattern in terms of stars. Bastoni gets four stars for potential development and playing style, but only two for playing time and one for formation.

All this adds up to Bastoni being the better fit for Liverpool. While he may only be marginally better than Guehi, such small margins can be telling at the top level and capable of deciding games, seasons and even titles.

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