Liverpool boss Arne Slot tight-lipped on English-Ivorian defender Marc Guehi ahead of Crystal Palace clash

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has refused to be drawn on fresh speculation linking the club with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, insisting his focus is solely on Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Selhurst Park.

Guehi, who saw a proposed deadline-day move to Anfield blocked this summer, is widely tipped to return to Liverpool’s radar in January following the season-ending injury to young defender Giovanni Leoni.

Guehi, born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast but raised in England, has been a standout performer for Palace since joining from Chelsea in 2021.

The 25-year-old, now an England international, remains one of the most highly rated centre-backs in the division, and his leadership has been pivotal to Palace’s 17-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Slot, however, would not entertain transfer talk on the eve of the game.

“I don’t think one day before we play them, talking about that again – he is a Crystal Palace player and he has been very important for them as long as he has been there,” the Liverpool boss told reporters.

Instead, the Dutchman highlighted the challenge facing his side at Selhurst Park, where Liverpool have taken one win and two draws from their last three meetings.

“We have to prepare for Crystal Palace who are a very good team. They are a difficult team to beat but we are also a difficult team to beat,” Slot said.

With Leoni sidelined for the rest of the season, Liverpool are expected to reassess their defensive options in January, but Slot stressed his squad remains well stocked in the short term.

“We have more than enough options to replace, if needed, a player at the centre-back position,” he added.

For now, Liverpool’s priority is halting Palace’s unbeaten streak while keeping speculation over Guehi firmly in the background.