‘Not messing about’ – Liverpool laying down marker for Premier League rivals over potential new-look defence

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Alex Conrad, Sports WriterPublished: 23:26, 21 Jun 2025Updated: 23:28, 21 Jun 2025Troy Deeney has lavished praise on Liverpool for their forward-thinking as their summer spending looks set to go north of £200million.

Jeremie Frimpong was the first through the door at Anfield after Liverpool triggered his £29.5million release clause.

Troy Deeney loves Liverpool signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace

Frimpong’s Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz was the next to join, as Liverpool confirmed the eye-watering £116.5m capture of the German superstar on Friday.

Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is poised to be the third arrival, as his £40m switch is considered a formality at this stage.

However, the defending Premier League champions’ transfer business is not expected to be over once Kerkez joins as talkSPORT understands Liverpool are interested in Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi.

The 24-year-old has one year remaining on his deal at Selhurst Park and has been the subject of heavy interest from Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur in recent windows.

Read more transfer newsNewcastle had four bids rejected for Guehi last summer, with the last of those being a £65m offer, while Spurs had a £70m turned down in the winter transfer window.

And talkSPORT understands that Barcelona and Bayern Munich have Guehi on their radar should the defender run his contract down at Selhurst Park.

But the Reds are looking set to steal a march on their rivals and strengthen what was the second-best defence in the Premier League last term.

When asked about the move on talkSPORT, Deeney could picture Guehi in the iconic red shirt of Liverpool and believed the signing lays down a serious marker for the rest of the division.

The ex-Watford skipper said: “I expected them [Palace] to go big and try and keep him, but maybe they cash in.

“I think he works great next to Virgil van Dijk.

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Van Dijk could have a new partner at centre-back.Credit: Getty

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And Deeney believes it could be the start of something special at LiverpoolCredit: talkSPORT”It’s a long-term succession plan for Liverpool.

“Liverpool are not messing about.

“I do think Liverpool have laid it down to everyone, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do, come and catch us if you can.'”

Palace have seemingly commenced a succession plan for Guehi themselves as they look to bring in Sporting centre-back Ousmane Diomande for what is expected to be a club-record fee.

The mooted swoop for Guehi comes as Liverpool’s centre-back department appears destined for a major overhaul.

Jarrell Quansah is in line for a summer departure to Leverkusen in a deal worth approximately £25.6m.

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The 24-year-old was a defensive standout for Palace last termCredit: talkSPORTThe 22-year-old managed only 13 league appearances last term, so a switch to Leverkusen where he looks likely to play more minutes is evidently enticing.

There are also serious question marks over the future of Joe Gomez, who missed half of last season with a hamstring injury.

But even when fit, the 28-year-old was not considered a starter as he was stuck behind the rock solid centre-back pairing of Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Konate himself faces an uncertain future as his contract is up next summer.

The French international has attracted interest from Real Madrid and could sign a pre-contract agreement in January should he not sign a new deal to remain at Anfield.

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Here is how the Liverpool XI could look next seasonAs for skipper Van Dijk, he put speculation surrounding an exit to bed in April as he extended his stay until 2027.

Read More on talkSPORTVan Dijk was a rock for the Reds last term as he played nearly every minute of their Premier League campaign.

The Dutch defender has already won nine trophies since signing from Southampton in 2018 and succeeded Jordan Henderson as the club’s captain.

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