Marc Guehi's stance on Liverpool transfer saga with Crystal Palace decision on the horizon

Marc Guehi is set to skipper Crystal Palace against Liverpool this weekend, but there was a time when the fixture might have involved him playing for the opposition. The England centre-back was on the brink of an Anfield switch in the final hours of the summer transfer window, only for the Eagles to cancel the deal at the last moment.

Guehi had reportedly filmed a goodbye video, and many Palace supporters would have understood his reasons for leaving even if they didn't agree with them. Instead, though, he will stay at Selhurst Park until at least January.

Liverpool's missed opportunity to sign Guehi has become more apparent this week after fellow centre-back Giovanni Leoni suffered a serious knee injury in the Carabao Cup victory over Southampton. The Italian, who joined from Parma in the summer, was forced off towards the end of the 2-1 win and is expected to be sidelined for several months, leaving Arne Slot with limited options in defence until the winter transfer window.

When Palace host Liverpool in south London, Guehi will have the chance to test himself against Liverpool's record signing Alexander Isak. The two could potentially be team-mates next season, although - for now, at least - the defender hasn't found it too challenging to ignore the speculation and concentrate on his performance.

"I'm okay. I guess so. I don't like the limelight," Guehi said after scoring for Palace against Aston Villa at the end of August. "I'm glad I have a good club and good teammates around me. When you focus on what is important, the football, it makes it a bit easier."

READ MORE: Liverpool left with limited transfer options after Giovanni Leoni injury blow

READ MORE: Liverpool handed Marc Guehi transfer boost after Carabao Cup rule change

Discussing his goal, Guehi explained: "It's a blur! I can't remember much. When you score goals like that, it's down the team performance. The credit should go to the team. I was tired! So much running. It's important we stay humble, we'll see what the future holds.

"[Crystal Palace means] a lot. I'm a south London boy, grew up in south London and captained the club from a young age. They have been fantastic to me and my family. A pleasure to play for this club."

Guehi's contract expires at the end of the campaign, and he's unlikely to pen a new deal. Palace could receive bids in January, with Liverpool amongst several clubs monitoring the situation, but they could decide to let him leave for nothing in the summer.

A potential Real Madrid transfer has also been mooted, which would see Guehi reunite with England teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham. His eagerness to join Anfield has been made apparent, however, and Slot's interest in securing the 25 year old remains unchanged despite the summer acquisition of youngster Leoni.

Palace's choice to retain Guehi followed discussions between manager Oliver Glasner and the club's hierarchy, where the Austrian chief made his stance crystal clear. He rubbished claims he threatened to resign if the centre-half was offloaded, but has spelled out the danger facing the Eagles if they accepted the cash.

"At the end of many discussions it was the chairman who asked me: 'Oliver, do you think we can manage the season when we sell Marc?' I said: 'Honestly we can't manage it in the short-term'," the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss revealed.

"If you want this scenario for Palace and you are fine with it, sell Marc. If you don't want to have this, then we have to keep him. And then he decided to keep him."

Guehi featured in the Palace squad that secured clean sheets home and away against Fredrikstad to secure their spot in the Conference League proper, with Glasner's men boasting the joint-finest defensive record in the division having shipped just two goals. They triumphed 2-1 at West Ham in their most recent outing, ensuring they and Liverpool remain the only sides yet to taste defeat after five fixtures.