Liverpool agrees to new contract with defender after Marc Guehi move collapsed

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Though it may be a negotiating stance, word out of the club is that Liverpool will not return in January, but will rather seek to sign the England international on a free transfer next summer.

But Arne Slot and Richard Hughes will not sit idly until then.

In that sense, Liverpool is no weaker than it was last season, when Slot claimed the title in his first campaign — although the 18-year-old recruit is yet to be put through his paces in the Premier League.

Speaking of Quansah, the club also made sure to place a buy-back clause in his deal.

But as ever at Liverpool, competition is never far away.

The club recently agreed a contract with another 18-year-old, Emmanuel Airoboma.

Emmanuel Airoboma of Liverpool in action in the U18 Premier League.

Should he impress there, a call-up to Slot's team does not look altogether impossible.

Indeed, Airoboma may be among a small crop of players who were pleased to see Guehi's deadline day deal fall through

Van Dijk is 34, Konate is stalling on a new deal, and neither Guehi nor an eventual return for Quansah are by any means certainties — this new professional deal places a handful of eggs in a new basket.

Whatever happens, it's a massive achievement for the young defender to have made it to this stage