Liverpool chairman Tom Werner makes Marc Guehi admission

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.

Image Credits: Imago Images

Liverpool’s deadline-day saga saw Alexander Isak finally complete his record-breaking £125 million move from Newcastle United, signing a six-year contract to become the Reds’ new No 9.

While that transfer saga concluded successfully for the Anfield club, Marc Guehi’s prospective switch from Crystal Palace to Anfield fell apart at the eleventh hour, largely due to Palace’s failure to secure adequate defensive reinforcements.

Palace and Liverpool had agreed a £35 million fee for Guehi, who even travelled to London for a medical and prepared to sign his five-year deal.

However, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish refused to sanction the departure once targets Igor Julio and Manuel Akanji opted for other clubs, leaving manager Oliver Glasner insisting two new defenders must arrive before Guehi could go.

With Palace completing only one defensive signing late in the window, they ultimately withdrew approval, choosing to retain their captain rather than risk an understrength backline.

Now Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has addressed the transfers of both Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi:

“In the Newcastle situation, their club needed to find a replacement,” Werner said.

“We thought we had a terrific [first] financial offer for them, but he did have a contract with them for three years.”

“Our feeling was we had signed [Hugo] Ekitike to be a striker and we felt if it works that’s great… and if it doesn’t then another option will arrive eventually.”

“I didn’t know anything more than the news media”

He then admitted that he was sure Liverpool would sign Marc Guehi:

“I thought we were going to get the defender from Crystal Palace!” Werner exclaimed.

“There club started out very well [in negotiations] and their chairman [Steve Parish], my counterpart, said ‘we can’t afford to lose him’… whatever that means.”

“So it takes so much to win and it’s not due to the talents of any one player.”

“I think Isak will be terrific, but he’s not the only striker in the world.”

Liverpool could still try to attempt to sign Marc Guehi in the January transfer window or even wait until next summer when he will be a free agent.

The Eagles defender is not expected to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park.