The one transfer failure that is threatening to RUIN Liverpool's season

Liverpool completed £450m worth of new signings during the summer transfer window.

But it’s the deal they didn’t get done which is threatening to define their season.

There was much excitement generated over the summer window by Liverpool’s business. We saw British record deals for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

And the squad was also upgraded through the signings of Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Arne Slot would have several more options at his disposal - and winning the Premier League title twice in succession looked a foregone conclusion.

But it’s not worked out like that.

Liverpool left with major problems at centre-back

Slot has struggled to integrate his signings - while some of them have not got up and running at all yet. Frimpong, Isak and Leoni have been hit with significant injury trouble - while Ekitike’s explosive start has settled into something a little more ordinary of late.

Liverpool are eighth - and look certain to miss out on a 21st league title. If Arne Slot isn’t careful the season is going to be a washout - an unbelievable outcome given half a billion was spent over the summer.

But there is one gaping hole in his Liverpool squad - and there’s not a lot Slot or sporting director Richard Hughes can do about it.

Liverpool tried to sign Marc Guehi over the summer - leaving it until transfer deadline day to submit a bid. Their offer of £35m was enough to satisfy Crystal Palace - but owing to the FA Cup holders’ failure to land a replacement they called the deal off.

Liverpool’s problems were compounded by Leoni’s season-ending injury. And Guehi’s failed transfer looks certain to shape Liverpool’s season even further.

Liverpool cannot take Konate out of the team

Why?

Well firstly it means that Ibrahima Konate is coasting. The Frenchman has been under-par this season but cannot be put under pressure for his place.

The only other option is Joe Gomez and Slot clearly doesn’t fancy the Englishman. Guehi would have lit a fire under Konate and made him realise that any lapse could be punished.

As it stands Slot has got no choice but to use the error-prone 26-year-old in every game.

“The French defender has been increasingly erratic this season — adding weight to the argument that Liverpool really should have prioritised the signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in the summer,” a report from James Pearce in the Athletic reads.

Liverpool cannot change shape

And secondly it means that Liverpool cannot change formation to accommodate three centre-backs in the lineup.

No one is saying it’s a silver bullet but this squad has got the profile to feature in a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2.

Frimpong and Kerkez can play as wing-backs rather than full-backs. Wirtz can play in the so-called “half-space” - a left-sided No10 position behind a man frontman.

The raw materials are there elsewhere in the squad - but Slot cannot put every single available centre-back on the pitch at the same time and leave nothing in reserve. And Guehi plays in a back three for Palace - as well as for England. He would be a natural fit.

Alas, Liverpool are condemned to use the same defensive shape until January at the earliest - when they absolutely must make another attempt to sign Guehi.

The incentives for the 25-year-old are much lower now; he would be joining a team in transition and would be doing himself out of a big, fat signing-on fee that would be due if he moves next summer on a free.

So Liverpool are now in competition with several other major teams for his signature. The tale of Guehi to Liverpool, ultimately, is one of regret.

Liverpool probably won’t get a chance for a do-over but right now it’s very much the one that got away.

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