Liverpool maintain the sting once more in battle with Man Metropolis
Liverpool’s latest switch enterprise has carried a well-known undertone. Quiet confidence, persistence, then a decisive strike. Final summer time, the Reds shocked Man Metropolis and Bayern Munich by touchdown Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, a deal few believed they may shut. The end result hinged on participant alternative, and Wirtz determined that Anfield supplied the fitting stage for his subsequent step.
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For Liverpool, it felt symbolic. A membership typically framed as working barely exterior the sport’s monetary elite had overwhelmed Pep Guardiola’s Man Metropolis to certainly one of Europe’s most coveted skills. Metropolis adjusted swiftly, pivoting in direction of Ryan Cherki, but the sense lingered that Liverpool had received the defining duel.
Now, because the 2026 window unfolds, the sample threatens to repeat.
Picture: IMAGO
Switch panorama shaping up for an additional showdown
Liverpool and Man Metropolis once more discover themselves circling the identical identify, this time Marc Guehi. The Crystal Palace centre again is approaching the top of his contract, and his scenario has drawn consideration from throughout the Premier League’s higher tier. Arsenal are monitoring intently, whereas Guardiola’s facet are retaining a watching transient.
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There’s historical past right here. Liverpool thought that they had secured Guehi beforehand, just for Palace to withdraw late in the summertime window. The curiosity by no means disappeared. With Virgil van Dijk turning 35 this 12 months, succession planning at centre again has moved from principle to necessity. Guehi, getting into his prime and confirmed at Premier League stage, suits that requirement neatly.
The intrigue, nonetheless, lies much less within the listing of suitors and extra within the participant’s obvious desire.
Marc Guehi alternative sends sign
Perception from these near the scenario means that Liverpool sit firmly on the entrance of the queue. Talking on the podcast, Sam Lee outlined the temper across the defender’s considering.
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“On Monday evening I used to be instructed by any individual who is aware of what’s occurring at Metropolis, but additionally I believe in all probability Palace as nicely, he stated he thinks Guehi needs to remain till the summer time and he prefers Liverpool [to City] in any case,” Lee stated.
“Any individual else messaged me on Twitter and I do know he’s excellent on different membership stuff, he was like ‘yeah, he needs to remain till the summer time and he prefers Liverpool and Arsenal’. I used to be like ‘nicely I haven’t heard Arsenal,’ however that form of tallies what I’d been instructed the evening earlier than.”
For Liverpool, that desire issues. Man Metropolis can provide trophies and continuity, however Anfield can provide immediacy and duty.
Anfield pathway proves persuasive
At Liverpool, Guehi wouldn’t arrive as a rotation possibility. With Konate presently leaving and Van Dijk nearing the latter phases of his profession, the pathway to turning into the beginning centre again is evident. At Man Metropolis, competitors is deeper and roles typically extra fluid. Arsenal stay an element, but Liverpool’s mixture of alternative, standing and up to date ambition seems compelling.
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As soon as once more, Liverpool discover themselves ready to outmanoeuvre Man Metropolis not by way of spending energy alone, however by way of readability of imaginative and prescient. If this deal is accomplished, it’ll reinforce a rising narrative. When Liverpool and Man Metropolis need the identical participant, the ultimate choice doesn’t all the time fall in Guardiola’s favour.