Liverpool dealt Marc Guehi transfer blow after bizarre Crystal Palace injury

Marc Guehi

Liverpool's hopes of signing Marc Guehi next month could have suffered a setback after Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards was stretchered off against Arsenal.

The centre-back was injured during the second half of his side’s Carabao Cup defeat to the Gunners.

Richards' foot could be seen bleeding heavily after an accidental coming together with Gabriel Jesus.

The play was stopped between the two sides before Richards was stretchered off.

Providing an update after the game, Palace boss Oliver Glasner said: “He got a knock on his foot, a stamp on his foot, and it had to be stitched.

"I don't know how many stitches, but a few. The doctor told me it doesn't look so bad. I'm always hopeful. We have to be hopeful.

“I don't know if he will be okay for the Tottenham game, but I'm still hoping that he will be back against Fulham.”

However, the injury gave Glasner a headache, as he had no recognised central defenders on his bench. As a result, Will Hughes replaced Richards, with Jefferson Lerma dropping into the back four.

Guehi is out of contract at the end of the season, having almost joined Liverpool back in September.

A £35million move to Anfieldcollapsed on deadline day when Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug on the deal at the eleventh hour after failing to secure a replacement.

The Reds remain interested in the Englandinternational, though it remains to be seen whether they will make a move next month.

The defender is also expected to have tempting offers from abroad, with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid among the clubs credited with interest.

While Manchester City are also believed to be keen on the defender, and Palace chief Parish has also already hinted at further sales at Selhurst Park despite the Eagles being on course for a second successive European qualification.

"We've got one eye on players who we might have to replace in the summer," he revealed earlier this month. "We're not going to throw it all on red and have a massive problem.

"Unless you want to be in a situation where you're constantly putting in money every year, there's a cash limit to what you can spend. You can't spend money you don't have.

"You have to have some guardrails as a club, or you'll build up big problems down the track. Everyone saw where prices went in the summer; it's a difficult landscape.

"There wasn't the right thing available at the right time when the finances were in place. There's no point in doing something for the sake of it. How are you going to get someone to come and tell them they are No.1 in Ebs [Eze] position if you still have him?

"The one where we didn't, with Marc [Guehi], we kept him. You can’t always make happen what you want to.

“We are where we are in the pecking order; you could ask why other clubs make bids for our players two weeks before the end of the window. I don’t know why they did that."

Ad

🔥 Liverpool FC Unisex Adult Core Cap - https://amzn.to/3KYQ2j5