Marc Guehi or Dayot Upamecano: Who should be Liverpool's free transfer centre-back signing and why - opinion

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Liverpool are virtually certain to sign at least one centre-back during the 2026 summer transfer window.The Reds are dealing with uncertainty in the middle of their defence, with Ibrahima Konate’s contract due to end next June.Liverpool tried to sign Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day, but after the move fell through, there remains an expectation that the Englishman will remain a target.Guehi will be free to sign for nothing next summer, although Liverpool are likely to face big competition for the Crystal Palace captain.As a result, they may have to look elsewhere for their next centre-back addition. With that in mind, Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano has been named as a potential Liverpool target.Like Guehi, Upamecano will be a free agent in 2026, making him an attractive option at Anfield.

He could still have half-a-decade or more left at the top of the game.Physical and experienced yet cultured and relatively youthful, Upamecano would add a certain amount of stardust to the Liverpool defence, and could be the man to step up once Virgil van Dijk eventually leaves.The 26-year-old has experience of winning titles with a huge club and, as a regular in the France starting XI, is used to high expectations.At his best, Upamecano is one of the very best centre-backs in the world, and that alone could be reason enough for him to win this argument.READ MORE: Liverpool stepping up interest in Zinedine Zidane favourite Kenan Yildiz after scouting missionThe case against UpamecanoAlthough Upamecano is clearly a top defender who would immediately improve Liverpool’s back line, he is also prone to the odd calamity.In much the way Konate can occasionally look like a fish out of water, Upamecano does have moments where he loses his bearings completely.Sometimes clumsy and overly physical, the former Leipzig man arguably has an unfortunate habit of stumbling when the lights are brightest.Already on big wages at Bayern, Upamecano is likely to be a far costlier addition than Guehi, too.Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty ImagesThe argument for Marc GuehiThere is a reason Liverpool were prepared to spend £35m on signing Guehi this summer. On a free transfer, he looks an even better deal.The 25-year-old has stepped up his game even further with Crystal Palace throughout the season so far, and is one of the best defenders in the Premier League at this current moment.A seasoned international with England, Guehi is more comfortable in possession than Upamecano, which is arguably something which Liverpool need improving upon.Konate’s limitations with the ball at his feet have always been clear, and Guehi would instantly be a big upgrade in that respect.26 by the time next summer comes around, the former Chelsea prospect is also yet to reach his peak, and could still get even better.

The home-grown factor is worth considering here, too.READ MORE: Steve Parish breaks silence on why he blocked Marc Guehi’s move from Crystal Palace to LiverpoolThe argument against GuehiWhile Guehi is clearly an excellent defender, there are question marks over whether he is tall enough to play for an elite club at centre-back.Standing at just 6 feet tall, he is a great deal shorter than the likes of Konate (6 ft 4) and Van Dijk (6 ft 5).Although this has not been a problem for him at Palace, Liverpool do need their centre-backs to be aerially dominant.The Reds tend to come under pressure from teams looking to play a more direct game, and Guehi’s lack of height could impact them negatively in that respect. Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty ImagesWhy not sign them both?There is an option open to Liverpool which would mean they do not ultimately have to pick between either Guehi or Upamecano: sign them both.There is a possibility that Liverpool lose both Konate and Joe Gomez next summer, meaning two new additions are an absolute must.Factor in Van Dijk’s contract expiry in 2027, and the logic behind Liverpool actually getting Guehi and Upamecano together makes a lot of sense.Van Dijk will be impossible to replace when the time for his exit eventually arrives, but Guehi and Upamecano, with some Giovanni Leoni thrown in, looks like a superb succession plan.Given they are both available for nothing, it should not be dismissed that Liverpool could pull off a brilliant double-coup here.VerdictWeighing up the arguments for and against, our conclusion is that Liverpool should pull out whatever stops they can to sign both Guehi and Upamecano next summer.There is a genuine argument that Liverpool need the two players together, and it would sort out some significant issues for Arne Slot.However, if only one can be brought in, then we think Upamecano should be the choice.Guehi is a sensational centre-back, and he could go up a level at Anfield, but Upamecano is a proven entity, and when it comes down to it, is surely a better guarantee of success with the Reds.The Frenchman is likely to have plenty of options, though, and could even yet stay at Bayern.