Remember the disappointment when Liverpool failed to sign Marc Guéhi on deadline day?
I certainly do. The deal looked practically done, Liverpool desperately needed another centre-back, and supporters were left wondering how the club had allowed such an important transfer to collapse at the final hurdle.
At the time, it felt like a disaster.
But looking at how things have unfolded since, I’m beginning to think Liverpool may have dodged a bullet — and the arrival of Jérémy Jacquet could prove to be a much better outcome for the Reds in the long run.
Guéhi’s latest struggles for Manchester City have certainly given Liverpool supporters something to think about.
Guéhi’s struggles are becoming difficult to ignore
Guéhi was widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders during his time at Crystal Palace. He was their captain, an England international and a player Liverpool believed could strengthen their defence.
There was a reason the Reds pursued him so aggressively.
But football has a habit of changing perceptions quickly, and his move to City has not been the straightforward success many might have expected.
In City’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, Guéhi made an error that allowed John McGinn to set up Nicolas Jackson’s opening goal. He was then substituted at half-time after being booked.
That followed further costly defensive moments in recent matches, with questions being asked about his current form.
Of course, every defender makes mistakes. Even the very best have difficult spells, and it would be unfair to write off Guéhi’s entire career because of a poor run.
But there is no denying that his recent performances have raised questions.
And for Liverpool supporters who were gutted when the deal fell through, the timing is rather interesting.
The deadline-day disappointment that changed everything
Liverpool had agreed a reported £35 million deal with Crystal Palace in August 2025, only for the transfer to collapse when Palace decided they could not afford to lose their captain without securing a replacement.
It was a frustrating episode for everyone involved.
Liverpool missed out on a defender they wanted, Guéhi missed out on his move to Anfield, and supporters were left questioning the club’s recruitment strategy.
Then Manchester City stepped in and signed him in January 2026.
At the time, some Liverpool fans must have wondered whether the club had made a costly mistake. Guéhi was an established Premier League defender who could have provided competition and cover at centre-back.
But circumstances have changed, and Liverpool have taken a different route.
Rather than simply revisiting the same deal, the club committed to signing French defender Jérémy Jacquet for a reported £60 million, with the youngster viewed as a major long-term investment.
And that is where things become interesting.
Jacquet could be the defender Liverpool really needed
Jacquet arrived with less senior experience than Guéhi, so there was inevitably an element of risk involved.
However, Liverpool clearly believe he has the potential to become a cornerstone of their defence for years to come.
His pace, composure on the ball and willingness to defend aggressively have attracted attention. He offers Liverpool a different profile, with the potential to develop into a defender capable of playing a major role in the club’s future.
For me, that long-term potential is what makes this such an intriguing comparison.
Guéhi would have been an experienced addition who was expected to make an immediate contribution. Jacquet represents a longer-term investment in the next generation of Liverpool’s defence.
Neither route was guaranteed to succeed, but Liverpool have made their decision, and now the task is to give Jacquet the right environment to fulfil his potential.
If he continues to develop and becomes the defender Liverpool believe he can be, the failed Guéhi transfer may eventually be remembered very differently.
Have Liverpool actually had a lucky escape?
I know some supporters will disagree with me here.
Guéhi has already demonstrated his quality at Crystal Palace, and a difficult spell at Manchester City does not suddenly make him a bad defender. He may yet settle and become a key player at the Etihad.
We should not pretend otherwise.
But transfers are about more than a player’s reputation. They are about timing, suitability, cost and what a club believes it needs over the next several seasons.
Liverpool’s failure to sign Guéhi was painful at the time, particularly when the defensive options looked stretched. Yet Jacquet gives the club an opportunity to build for the future rather than simply plugging an immediate gap.
And if Guéhi continues to struggle while Jacquet grows into a top-class centre-back, Liverpool supporters may look back on that deadline-day collapse as a blessing in disguise.
For me, the most important thing is that Liverpool now have a defender they believe can be part of their future.
Guéhi’s current difficulties are a reminder that no signing comes with guarantees, regardless of reputation or experience.
The next few years will tell us whether Liverpool made the right call. It is far too early to declare Jacquet the winner of a comparison that will take time to judge.
But I will say this: what felt like a disaster when Guéhi’s move collapsed no longer looks quite so devastating.
Perhaps Liverpool really have had a lucky escape.
And perhaps Jérémy Jacquet will make sure we are not looking back at that failed transfer with regret after all.
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
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