Liverpool have received strong advice to abandon their pursuit of Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo and instead focus their January transfer budget on Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Defensive Woes Plague Reds' Season
The recommendation comes from talkSPORT pundit Scott Minto, who believes the £80million-rated Guehi represents better value for a Liverpool side struggling defensively under manager Arne Slot. The Reds have conceded 20 goals in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, with their previously reliable centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate showing unexpected vulnerability.
Liverpool's defensive problems have been compounded by summer signing Milos Kerkez's difficult adaptation since his £40million move from Bournemouth, while Jeremie Frimpong's persistent hamstring issues have forced the creative Dominik Szoboszlai into an unfamiliar right-back role.
Guehi vs Semenyo: The Transfer Debate
During a recent talkSPORT discussion, Minto made his position clear when asked about Liverpool's transfer priorities. "I would bring in Marc Guehi rather than Antoine Semenyo," he stated emphatically. The former Chelsea and West Ham defender described Guehi as "an £80million footballer" who could have been secured for just £35million during the summer before Palace blocked the deadline day move.
Fellow pundit Alex Crook supported this view, highlighting Liverpool's financial capacity for significant investment. "I don't think Liverpool are in any kind of financial situation," Crook noted, pointing out that the club's net spend was £218million less than Arsenal's during the summer window.
Manchester United Waiting in Wings
Should Liverpool follow this advice and redirect their attention from Semenyo to Guehi, it could significantly benefit rivals Manchester United. The Red Devils had shown interest in the Ghanaian international during the summer before he committed to Bournemouth with a new contract extending until 2030.
However, Bournemouth may struggle to retain Semenyo if clubs activate the £65million release clause reportedly included in his new deal. The 25-year-old has impressed this season with six goals from eleven appearances, making him an attractive option for United as they seek additional firepower in their European qualification push.
The January transfer window presents a critical juncture for Liverpool, with their defensive frailties threatening their top-four ambitions and forcing difficult decisions about where to allocate limited resources.
