Liverpool sent January message over Marc Guehi transfer amid Virgil van Dijk fears

Guehi

Liverpool have been told they must "go all out" to sign Marc Guehi in January to help ease the pressure on Virgil van Dijk to remain fit.

The Reds had agreed a £35million deal for Guehi on transfer deadline day at the start of last month only for Crystal Palace to pull the plug having been unable to sign a suitable replacement.

Guehi has responded with a series of impressive performances for Palace, including in the 2-1 win over Liverpool at Selhurst Park a fortnight ago.

Liverpool presently have only three senior centre-backs available with summer signing Giovanni Leoni ruled out for the season after surgery to repair ACL damage.

The Reds had initially intended to make another move for Guehi at the end of the season when he becomes a free agent with the expiry of his contract at Palace.

Real Madrid, though, are now among a number of other leading European clubs keeping tabs on Guehi, with former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy convinced his old club must now act when the transfer window opens in the New Year.

Murphy

“We’ve got 11 weeks or so until the window opens,"

"Do they make a move in January and find a short-term fix or just pay what they need to pay for Guehi?

"I would get Guehi in January. Maybe Palace won’t let it happen but he’s perfect in so many ways.

“He knows the league, won’t need time to settle. He’s calm, he’s quick and he’s a good footballer. He’s everything you want in a centre-back. Liverpool will need to do something."

Murphy added: "I would go all out on Guehi. They’ve got a relationship with Guehi and his camp.

"Liverpool came in for him in the same way they tried to get Van Dijk when Southampton asked for more money at the last minute and the deal fell through, so Liverpool waited and got him in the next window. For such an important position you need the best or the one you want.”

Ibrahima Konate has been released early from the France squad as he strives to recover from a thigh issue that saw him limp off during last weekend's Premier League defeat at Chelsea.

And with Joe Gomez having featured for just 29 minutes in the top flight this season, Murphy admits the onus is on Van Dijk to remain available.

Echo Pop (Newest gen) | - https://amzn.to/4nPKVjk