Liverpool chairman’s reaction to Guehi January transfer question says everything

A matter of weeks after Liverpool failed to sign Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day, Reds chairman Tom Werner was asked about the prospect of the club trying their luck again in January

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has declined to comment on whether the Reds will revive their pursuit of Marc Guehi when January arrives. The England centre-back saw a £35million switch to Anfield collapse on deadline day.

Crystal Palace withdrew from negotiations after they failed to sign a replacement. The move fell through after Eagles' transfer target Igor Julio snubbed them for West Ham United. Guehi's contract expires at the end of the current campaign and meaning he is anticipated to depart Selhurst Park as a free agent if not sold during the winter window.

Liverpool maintain their admiration for the defender, though currently appear unlikely to make a January approach given Guehi's availability without a fee come summer.

Nevertheless, Werner kept his cards close to his chest when questioned about the possibility of the Reds making a move when the transfer market reopens. The Liverpool chairman recently featured on the latest instalment of the 'It's Called Soccer' podcast from The Overlap US, presented by Crystal Palace fan Rebecca Lowe.

Predictably, Lowe was thrilled that Guehi had remained at Selhurst Park. She wasted no time in gloating to the Liverpool supremo, who also responded with some banter of his own.

Pointing to a Crystal Palace shirt, she said: "Tom, not to be mean, but I was obviously delighted that you didn't get Marc Guehi because, as you can see from the shirt behind me. Yeah, I'm absolutely delighted."

With a wry smile, he replied: "I know, you're a Crystal Palace supporter. I want you to know, Rebecca, that when we didn't get him, I thought about you and I knew you would be happy!"

Lowe then attempted to discover whether Liverpool were plotting a fresh January approach for Guehi, only to be left uncomfortable by Werner's lengthy silence. She said: "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Tom, thank you!

"We're just getting confirmation, Tom, confirmation you won't be going back in January? Can you confirm that on Guehi?" After he chose not to respond to the direct line of enquiry, a concerned Lowe then said: "No? No confirmation? Oh no, I don't like that!"

Chuckling at her inquisitiveness, Werner then playfully responded: "You know what, all of a sudden, Rebecca, you went cloudy on me! I can't hear you!"

It comes as little shock that the Liverpool chairman chose not to discuss the Reds' prospective future transfer activity. However, it speaks volumes regarding their ongoing pursuit of the defender.

Before their victory over Burnley, Arne Slot recently acknowledged the Reds remain keen to secure Guehi's signature, expressing his regret for both club and player that the switch had collapsed. He also refused to discuss Liverpool's January transfer strategy.

He said: "For me, we would like to sign him of course, because we were in for him. Like I have said many times, if we feel we can strengthen the team with a chance in the market, we never hesitated to do so and that's what we tried to do."