John Barnes tells Marc Guehi his 'perfect club' between Liverpool and Man City

Former Liverpool star John Barnes has urged Marc Guehi to choose Liverpool over Manchester City or Arsenal, describing Anfield as the defender’s “perfect club” if he wants to maximize his development and long‑term prospects.

Barnes argues that while Manchester City offers trophies and an elite environment, competition for places under Pep Guardiola is intense, with established center‑backs already in place. At City, Guehi could risk limited minutes, which might stall his progress at a crucial stage of his career.

By contrast, Barnes sees Liverpool as a more suitable destination, especially under Arne Slot’s evolving project. With Liverpool needing defensive reinforcements and gradually reshaping their back line, Guehi would likely have a clearer path to regular starts, allowing him to grow into a leadership role at the heart of the defense.

He also notes that Liverpool’s style of play and emphasis on developing players in a high‑intensity, possession‑based system would suit Guehi’s strengths: composure on the ball, athleticism, and reading of the game. That combination, Barnes believes, would help the England international take the next step at both club and international level.

Arsenal is mentioned as another strong option, but Barnes again highlights the depth and stability in Mikel Arteta’s defensive unit, which could similarly restrict Guehi’s starting opportunities. In his view, the choice for the Crystal Palace center‑back comes down to immediate game time versus joining a super‑club where breaking into the XI is far harder.

Overall, Barnes frames Liverpool as the ideal balance: a club competing for major honors, but with enough need and room in central defense for Guehi to become a cornerstone of the team rather than a rotational piece.