Liverpool transfer agreement theory emerges after failed move - 'I wouldn't be surprised'
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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCMarc Guehi saw his transfer deadline day move to Liverpool fall through but John Arne Riise believes a January move could still be possibleFormer Liverpool defender John Arne Riise says he "wouldn't be surprised" to see Marc Guehi complete a move in January. The 25-year-old saw his deadline day transfer to the Premier League champions fall through after Crystal Palace pulled the plug on the deal.Arne Slot's side have since endured a defensive crisis with injuries decimating the Dutchman's selection options.
Ibrahima Konate appeared to be absent from the Reds' preparations to face Wolves on December 27 while Joe Gomez has recently rejoined Giovanni Leoni on the treatment table after his latest injury setback.Leoni, who signed from Parma for £26 million in the summer, suffered a season-ending knee injury on his Liverpool debut against Southampton in their Carabao Cup triumph in September. It has led to having limited options for partners to deputise alongside Virgil van Dijk.READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk sends Liverpool supporters message over Diogo Jota chantsREAD MORE: Liverpool players respond as Mohamed Salah makes latest Egypt statement at AFCONRiise, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 alongside icons Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, has suggested that it wouldn't be surprising to see the England international finally make the move to Anfield. next month."I was so disappointed that Marc Guehi didn't sign for Liverpool in the summer, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had a mutual agreement that it would go ahead in January," he said."I hope he does because he's the type of player I would like to see fighting with Konate for a position next to Virgil van Dijk."Liverpool have suffered defensively too in matches with Konate battling to find consistency.The French defender, who has deputised alongside Van Dijk for most of the campaign, has endured difficult moments against Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Leeds United.Despite the risk of further injury issues, plus Konate's previous record for time on the sidelines, Slot has previously failed to be drawn on January additions, with Guehi out of contract in the summer and able to enter pre-contract negotiations with overseas clubs.The Dutchman said: "Some teams have so many (options) but most other teams do not."This is our way of working at Liverpool.
The outside world wants to believe we have unlimited money but that is not true."You insiders know – and you are the only ones because the outside world only talks about our spending – what we have brought in (money) to spend."That is the way we work over here. You then have to accept that in certain games during a season you are short of a right full back."But we are still able to win.