Liverpool looking at potential double centre back deal in January

Richard Hughes Targets Defensive Reset with Guehi and Jacquet on Liverpool Radar

Liverpool’s uneven start to the season has forced a recalibration behind the scenes, with sporting director Richard Hughes now actively shaping plans to reinforce the club’s central defensive options. Despite unprecedented spending during the summer window, performances in the Premier League have fallen short of expectations, exposing structural vulnerabilities that recruitment was supposed to resolve.

The scale of investment was designed to future-proof a title-winning squad and support Arne Slot’s early work at Anfield. Instead, cohesion has been elusive. New arrivals have struggled to fully integrate, while the margin for error has narrowed in key areas of the pitch. Nowhere has that been more apparent than at centre-back, where depth concerns and contract uncertainty have collided.

Guehi Interest Reflects Contract Pressures

Marc Guehi has re-emerged according to Anfield Watch as a central figure in Liverpool’s thinking, largely due to unresolved questions surrounding Ibrahima Konate. With the French defender approaching the final phase of his contract and no agreement yet reached, Liverpool face the real prospect of losing a core defensive asset without recouping a fee.

Guehi’s situation mirrors that concern. The Crystal Palace defender is also entering the final year of his deal, and Liverpool are well aware that he is expected to move on at the end of the season. Having missed out on securing his signature during the summer, Hughes is now alert to the possibility of revisiting the deal under far more favourable financial conditions.

From a footballing perspective, the appeal is obvious. Guehi brings Premier League experience, tactical intelligence and leadership, attributes Liverpool have leaned heavily on in Virgil van Dijk. During the opening months of the campaign, Slot has been left with little choice but to rely almost exclusively on his senior pairing, a situation that has increased physical load and limited rotation.

Liverpool’s renewed interest in Guehi is therefore less about opportunism and more about necessity. If Konate’s future remains unresolved, securing a proven replacement becomes a strategic imperative rather than a luxury.

Jacquet Identified as Developmental Signing

Alongside proven experience, Hughes is also targeting long-term potential. Jeremy Jacquet has emerged as a serious candidate after impressing scouts with his performances for Rennes. At just 20, the French defender is already regarded as one of the most promising centre-backs to emerge from Ligue 1’s production line.

Liverpool have placed Jacquet on an internal shortlist, with recruitment staff particularly encouraged by his composure in possession, positional awareness and physical development. Arsenal are also believed to be monitoring his progress, underlining the level of competition Liverpool could face should they decide to accelerate their interest.

Unlike Guehi, Jacquet would not be expected to arrive as an immediate first-choice option. Instead, he represents a calculated investment, one designed to develop within Liverpool’s environment while gradually increasing his involvement. That approach aligns closely with Hughes’ broader recruitment philosophy, balancing immediate needs with long-term sustainability.

Richard Hughes Builds Multi-Year Defensive Strategy

The dual focus on Guehi and Jacquet reflects a wider defensive plan rather than short-term panic. While Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both contracted until 2027, Liverpool are conscious of the need to manage succession well in advance. Waiting until decline or departure forces action has rarely been the club’s preferred approach.

Giovanni Leoni, currently sidelined through injury, is expected to play a significant role in Liverpool’s defensive future. However, relying solely on internal options would leave the squad exposed should injuries or contract disputes persist. Adding both Guehi and Jacquet would significantly rebalance the department, offering immediate stability and future depth.

Hughes’ strategy appears clear. One addition would deliver Premier League reliability at a crucial moment, while the other would safeguard the position for seasons to come. It is a model Liverpool have used successfully in the past, blending experience with emerging talent to maintain competitive continuity.

Liverpool’s campaign may yet stabilise, but the message from Anfield is unmistakable. Defensive reinforcement is no longer optional. With Guehi and Jacquet firmly under consideration, Richard Hughes is positioning the club to address current weaknesses while laying foundations for the next phase of the rebuild.