Greater Talent than Gabriel: Liverpool’s January Attempt to Acquire £35m “Monster” Livezstream.com

Bigger talent than Gabriel: Liverpool in Jan bid to sign £35m “monster”

Liverpool has reestablished themselves in the Premier League’s top four, and following Chelsea’s draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday, they have the opportunity to extend their lead to five points with a victory against Leeds United at Anfield on New Year’s Day. However, there’s no question that Arne Slot’s team is a far cry from the title-winning form displayed last season, and FSG will be keen to leverage the January transfer window to introduce a top-tier player. At Manchester City, they boast Erling Haaland, while Arsenal’s strong defense is anchored by Brazilian center-back Gabriel Magalhaes, who showcased his prowess in the Gunners’ decisive win over Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

Given that Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are nearing the ends of their primes, Liverpool has welcomed new emerging talents, though it’s evident that they remain in need of a center-back to compete with players like Gabriel.

Some supporters of Liverpool might feel disappointment after missing out on Antoine Semenyo, as the Bournemouth forward ranks among the most threatening players in the Premier League this season. Yet, the Reds are in urgent need of a defender. Slot’s tactical setup is vulnerable to chaos should Van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate sustain injuries.

Premier League Top Scorers (25/26)

Data via BBC Sport

With Giovanni Leoni out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, it’s evident that bolstering the defensive roster should be the top priority for the Anfield club. Liverpool correspondent Lewis Steele suggests this may be the case, as a list of potential center-back targets has been put together, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi currently at the forefront.

Guehi’s contract concludes at the end of the season, and it’s believed that Eagles chairman Steve Parish would only consider letting his captain depart midway through the season if he receives his £35m asking price. FSG may understandably be cautious about meeting that valuation.

Why Liverpool should sign Marc Guehi

Guehi has established himself as a proficient defender in the Premier League, contributing significantly to the victories in the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2025 under the guidance of Oliver Glasner.

Lauded as a “monster in defense” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, Guehi has refined his talents in south London over several years after being sold by Chelsea before he demonstrated his potential. Liverpool recognizes his abilities and realizes that by acquiring the England international, they would secure a center-back whose skill set is ideal for a thriving career in the Premier League and across European competitions as well.

After all, he compares favorably with Gabriel, who data-driven platform FBref actually reveals to be one of his closest equivalents.

Premier League 25/26 – Gabriel Magalhaes vs Marc Guehi

Data via FBref

The 25-year-old has also exhibited impressive growth. According to Sofascore, he has achieved a 69% success rate in aerial duels in the Premier League this season, a notable increase from his 54% success rate last year. Liverpool currently boasts the highest aerial duel success rate in the league at 57.2%, largely due to the aerial prowess of Van Dijk and Konate. Losing this crucial defensive strength would be a setback for a backline already seeking stability, and Guehi would facilitate Slot’s project in advancing while introducing a fresh dimension of quality on the ball.

While Gabriel garners much attention, Guehi would enhance his talents and build his reputation at Liverpool, aiming to become a truly exceptional player and leading the Merseysiders toward title-winning glory.

Published: 2025-12-31 13:15:00

source: www.footballfancast.com