Once Luis Diaz Sweeping a powerful goal past a brave Alphonse Areola, the few spectators seated at the London Stadium were betting on anything other than… Liverpool victory.
West Ham United They were crushed, picked up and played with Arnie slotThe unstoppable side. Liverpool are now eight points ahead of second-placed Nottingham Forest, with a game in hand – and are favorites for the new season. Premier League address.
It's incredible when you consider the variables. Jurgen Klopp He stepped down at the end of the 2023/24 season, which was reduced to the Merseyside outfit; It was Federico Chiesa The only summer signing for £12.5m And he I only started one match; Liverpool's three leading players will arguably be out of contract at the end of the term, and each is able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs from abroad.
Ibrahima Konate He was also injured for almost a month after a sensational start to the season, and was praised for reaching the “elite class of defenders” under his Dutch coach's tactics. By a journalist.
The France international is still out Joe Gomez He joined him in the infirmary.
Concerned about Joe Gomez's injury
Gomez has rarely featured in the Premier League during the first few months of the season, perhaps out of form after his move to Newcastle United failed to reach the final stage in August.
You wouldn't think the 27-year-old, Liverpool's longest serving first-team player, would hold too many grudges after a failed and potential transfer, especially now that he is thriving in the slot project.
one The Italian League correspondent praised him As a “coach's dream” his versatility and multi-faceted technical quality make him an invaluable asset.
However, injuries have been the bane of his career, and he appeared to suffer a hamstring strain during Liverpool's win over West Ham, resulting in him being reduced to… Just 37 minutes of work And perhaps an extended period on the sidelines.
Liverpool could certainly do with another part at the back FSG He could agree a move in 2025 after a Premier League star expressed his desire to play under the Anfield lights.
Prem centre-back wants to sign for Liverpool
According to Reports carried by MetroLiverpool are interested in signing the Crystal Palace defender Mark Guehi – It is understood that the attraction is mutual.
Guehi starred for the Three Lions at Euro 2024 and was a rock at the back of the Eagles' backline for several years, with Newcastle United making four unsuccessful bids for his signature in the summer. Its final total was £65 million.
With Palace keen to bring Ben Doak – currently impressing away from Anfield for Middlesbrough – to Selhurst Park, possibly on loan, Liverpool could change some pieces to align with Slott's vision, bolstering the back line with the ideal new part.
Joey too His contract will expire at the end of the 2025/26 season. It's almost time to attack us.
What will Mark Guehi bring to Liverpool?
Crystal Palace He signed Guehi from Chelsea in a deal worth £18m In 2021, he has since been poised to reach the first team in England and attract interest from some of the top teams in the Premier League.
He is a fantastic midfielder, with the bite of a lion and the effortless movement of a cheetah in front of goal. Oh, and dedication to protecting his target and thwarting attackers' efforts. for him His former England Under-21 teammate Joe Bursika goalkeeper, has praised him as an “absolute tank” of a defender in the past.
Oliver Glasner's side have struggled to recapture the dream form they displayed in the last few months of the 2023/24 season, but without Guehi, there is no doubt the Eagles will be stuck in a Premier League stalemate.
|
Mark Guehi – Premier League statistics (24/25) |
|
|---|---|
|
Match statistics* |
# |
|
Matches (start) |
18 (18) |
|
Objectives |
2 |
|
Helps |
1 |
|
Clean sheets |
4 |
|
touches* |
66.3 |
|
Complete the pass |
84% |
|
Key passes* |
0.4 |
|
Quirks (completed)* |
0.5 (82%) |
|
recover the ball* |
4.2 |
|
Interventions + Interceptions * |
2.2 |
|
Approvals* |
4.8 |
|
Total duels (won)* |
5.5 (64%) |
|
Statistics via Sofascore (* = per game) |
|
Analyst Ben Mattinson He claimed that the Englishman is “one of those all-rounders who can play on both sides equally comfortably”, and switches with ease. This could be crucial as Van Dijk enters the final stretch of his impressive career, as he may need to reduce his playing time if he does extend his contract and captain the team on Merseyside.
According to FBrefGuehi also ranks among the top 7% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 9% for completed passes per 90, making a compelling comment on his ball-playing and ball-carrying skills. Skills designed specifically for the Slot system.
A successful strike is scored when a player beats his opponent by carrying the ball directly behind him while maintaining possession.
Whether Liverpool will succeed in their quest remains to be seen, and it probably won't become clear until the summer sun extends to Anfield.
However, given Guehi's dynamism, technical quality and immense defensive skills, there is every reason why he would be the perfect arrival for Liverpool, taking slot's system to the next level and elevating an already strong defence.
Maybe Gomez still wants a new challenge, and if he gets his wish next year, this guy, the guy who wants to make the move, is the one to go for.
