Roy Hodgson Blames Both Clubs for Marc Guéhi Transfer Collapse and What It Means for Liverpool

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Marc Guéhi's anticipated £35 million move to Liverpool collapsed at the final hour on deadline day, leaving the England defender at Crystal Palace until at least January. Palace halted the deal after failing to secure a suitable replacement, even though Guéhi had completed a medical and recorded a farewell video.

Former Palace manager Roy Hodgson didn't hold back in his critique: "He's the person I feel really sorry for," Hodgson told TalkSPORT. "If he'd been told clearly from the start he was staying, he would've accepted it. Instead, he was led to believe a move was coming. He's the loser in this situation."

Market reaction to the collapse was swift and telling. Sky Bet had Liverpool at just 4/9 to complete the signing before the deal fell apart, with other clubs drifting significantly in the betting lines once uncertainty emerged. This volatility highlights how online betting exchange sites now serve as real-time sentiment gauges for transfer speculation.

Unlike traditional bookmakers, exchanges allow observers to see how punters are valuing outcomes as they unfold. These platforms often provide sharper odds and analytical tools that highlight market sentiment, such as tracking the volume of back or lay bets placed on specific results. Features like live in-play markets and bet builders enable almost instant assessment of shifting perceptions around player movements.

For many analysts, it's less about potential winnings and more about understanding what the wider football community expects. Whether that's Liverpool's defensive prospects after missing out on Guéhi or how rival clubs may now be positioned heading into January, these market movements offer valuable insights into collective football intelligence.

Why Liverpool Wanted Guéhi

Liverpool's move for Guéhi was rooted in necessity. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté remain Klopp's cornerstone centre-back pairing, but both are prone to injury. Backup options like Joe Gomez lack the same consistency, while Jarell Quansah is still emerging. At just 24, Guéhi offers leadership, composure, and Premier League-ready reliability, an upgrade vitally needed in the squad. His contract situation also made the deal a relative bargain compared to his true market value.

What Went Wrong

Palace's inability to secure a replacement prompted the collapse. Manager Oliver Glasner refused to let go of his captain unless a suitable replacement was already in place. The deal for Brighton's Igor Julio fell through at the 11th hour, scuppering the contingency plan and ultimately derailing Guéhi's move. Liverpool had submitted a deal sheet, and for hours, the transfer looked set; for a brief moment, it seemed done.

Repercussions for Club and Player

For Liverpool: The Reds' defensive depth looks weaker. While the spotlight shines on the capture of players like Alexander Isak, the void at centre-back remains. January now looms as crucial, but competition from European heavyweights may complicate any return for Guéhi.

For Crystal Palace: Short-term stability comes with long-term risk. Guéhi, reportedly planning to reject any new contract and depart on a free in 2026, leaves the club exposed at both ends. Managerial unrest follows, as Glasner had threatened to quit over losing his captain.

For Guéhi: Emotionally and professionally, this represents a blow at a pivotal career moment. Though he maintained professionalism, frustration lingers and could affect his motivation if Palace's season stutters.

Final Thought

The collapse of the Guéhi transfer isn't just another deadline drama. It exposes Liverpool's lingering defensive vulnerability, underscores the risks of indecision at Palace, and leaves Guéhi in limbo. As Hodgson put it, the player may be the story's "loser," but the broader ripple effects stretch across clubs, fans, and markets. With January on the horizon and betting odds already in flux, the Guéhi tale is far from over, and Anfield may yet call again.