Marc Guéhi appeared to take a subtle swipe at Liverpool during his first interview as a Manchester City player.

Liverpool’s prolonged search for defensive reinforcement has taken an awkward twist, with a long-linked target ending up in Manchester instead of on Merseyside.
Marc Guéhi has now been unveiled as a Manchester City player, and while the transfer itself is frustrating enough, his opening comments to mancity.com have added an extra sting that is likely to linger among Liverpool supporters.
“I am really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player,” the England defender said, before describing City as “the best club in England” with “an unbelievable squad of players.”
For a Liverpool side that lifted the Premier League title under Arne Slot, that particular remark carries obvious bite.
Guéhi’s words sharpen Liverpool’s sense of disappointment
This was the same centre-back who appeared on the brink of joining Liverpool last summer, only for Crystal Palace to halt the move late on deadline day. At the time, the 24-year-old was widely seen as an ideal long-term partner for Virgil van Dijk: reliable, battle-tested, and already proven at the highest Premier League level.
Instead, Guéhi has joined a direct rival and publicly crowned them as England’s top club — a claim that jars given Liverpool’s recent title success.
Paul Joyce later revealed that City’s superior financial offer proved decisive. A reported £300,000-per-week salary alongside an initial £20m fee formed a package Liverpool were unwilling to match, despite their belief that the groundwork laid earlier in the year might sway the player’s decision.
From Liverpool’s viewpoint, this goes beyond simply missing out on a transfer. It reflects the harsh realities of a market where margins are tight and financial power often tips the balance.
What Guéhi’s move means for Liverpool’s defensive plans
The consequences of the Guéhi saga are already influencing Liverpool’s next steps.
With Giovanni Leoni facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Ibrahima Konaté’s contract future unresolved, and Joe Gomez still struggling to find consistency, the need for another centre-back remains pressing.
Focus is now shifting towards alternative targets, including younger options such as Ousmane Diao, who represent more of a long-term project than an instant statement signing.
That shift highlights a broader approach under Arne Slot and the club’s recruitment team — one built on patience and precision rather than reactive spending, even when circumstances test that resolve.
While Guéhi’s decision could yet prove costly if injuries mount and reinforcements fall short, it also underlines Liverpool’s refusal to abandon their long-term structure for the sake of one deal. For now, his comments serve as a reminder of just how narrow the margins are at the top — and how quickly a missed signing can turn into a league-wide talking point.