Liverpool are still keen to bring in another centre-back and Marc Guehi remains top choice.

The Reds have done some simply sensational business this summer, particularly in the attacking areas, but this has left the defence looking a little vulnerable.

Both in pre-season and in their opening game against Bournemouth, Liverpool looked exposed and were caught on the counter-attack, something that did not happen often at all under Arne Slot last season.

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With that said, they are keen to bring in another centre-back to try and eliminate this issue altogether, with Crystal Palace captain Guehi their top target.

The Englishman has a year left on his contract and has no intention of signing a new deal, with Palace keen to offload him this summer to recoup a small fee.

However, Liverpool are not yet prepared to meet their £40m valuation for the 25-year-old, something that will concern Reds fans after David Ornstein’s latest update.

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The Reds usually aim for a defender who is in the age range of 18-22, just like they have done with Giovanni Leoni, although they see Guehi as an exception.

This is because they believe this is a market opportunity far too good to turn down, hence why all their focus is now on the Englishman.

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With that said, though, Liverpool do not really want to pay more than £30m, something Palace, at this point in time anyway, simply will not accept.

And, according to David Ornstein at The Athletic, Liverpool are not expected to seek a Guehi alternative should they fail to sign him this summer.

He reports that if Guehi does leave Palace before the window shuts, he only wants to join Liverpool, putting the Reds firmly in the driving seat.

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However, Liverpool already believe that they have four elite central defenders, so it is Guehi or no one at this point of the summer.

This will concern supporters as they know how essential another centre-back is, but if the Reds do not cough up what Palace are asking for, it looks like they will end up with no one.

Steve Parish is known for driving a hard bargain and it seems very unlikely that he will budge on his asking price for one of his star players.

£40m is what they want, but rumours suggest £35m might be reluctantly accepted, which is just £5m more than Liverpool are prepared to offer.

So, even though it is not ideal for Richard Hughes, he should just pay that little bit extra as Guehi has proven time after time that he is an elite level defender and would be a great addition to the Premier League champions.

Another option at the back is needed and Guehi has all the traits needed to push the likes of Ibrahima Konate all the way, with his availability far too good to pass up on.