Liverpool identify Marc Guehi backup plan; Chelsea will fear hijack of Brazil defender

The Reds came close to signing the Crystal Palace centre-half in the prior transfer window.

However, as Steve Parish indicated on Sunday, the Eagles were not prepared to sacrifice Guehi ahead of a debut season in the Europa Conference League.

Whilst a respectable decision, it’s one that could have dire consequences for Liverpool.

Indeed, Empire of the Kop sources indicate that the prospect of signing for Real Madrid is an attractive one for the 25-year-old.

Make no mistake – Los Blancos will be pushing to sign two centre-backs amid concerns over David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger.

Liverpool add Murillo to seven-man centre-back shortlist

In the event that Guehi opts to pursue a move to continental Europe, Liverpool’s recruitment team has cast the net wide.

On that note, Brazil international Murillo is understood to form part of a seven-man shortlist.

• Marc Guehi
• Murillo
• Castello Lukeba
• Dayot Upamecano
• Ronald Araujo
• Jarrad Branthwaite
• Sven Botman

“The other is Nottingham Forest’s Murillo,” Mark Brus told The Daily Briefing.

“According to my source: ‘Murillo is also well liked at Liverpool. He’s someone Forest are probably going to have to sell soon, and we know there’s been interest from Chelsea, but Liverpool will be there too’.”

One might reasonably suspect, of course, that sporting director Richard Hughes and his team aren’t just worried about missing out on their top target.

With Ibrahima Konate (whose contract expires in 2026) also a potential to be snapped up on a free by Real Madrid in less than a year’s time, we’re also at risk of potentially requiring two new centre-backs.

In that event, it makes sense that Liverpool are keeping an eye on Murillo, who has long been signposted as a potential Marc Guehi alternative.

You can watch Slot’s post-Chelsea press conference via Empire of the Kop on YouTube: