Gerrard Laments Guehi Snub as City's Winter Window Buys Send Title Charge Warning to Arsenal

Steven Gerrard has revealed his frustration at Liverpool's inability to complete the Marc Guehi transfer, using the moment to issue a stark reminder about Manchester City's title credentials.

The Reds arrived at this campaign with lofty expectations following their 20th league title triumph last season and a substantial £400m outlay on summer recruits. Yet the transfer strategy has since drawn criticism, and the collapse of the Guehi deal on deadline day represents a particularly stinging missed opportunity.

Guehi, who was set to arrive at Anfield before the move fell through, instead penned terms with Manchester City. The Crystal Palace captain made an immediate impact, keeping a clean sheet in City's 2-0 demolition of Wolves on his debut.

Pep Guardiola lavished praise on his new acquisition following the victory, describing him as an "incredible signing" and highlighting his immediate understanding of City's defensive setup. "It's not necessary to tell you about Marc and who he is. The captain from Crystal Palace, national team for your country and he knows everything, you had a feeling from day one," the manager explained.

Guardiola went on to draw comparisons with Rubén Díaz's impact, noting Guehi's composure in possession and his ability to read situations around him. He emphasised that the 25-26 year-old age bracket represents a perfect fit for City's long-term ambitions, describing the deal as a "really good price" for a player of such calibre.

Gerrard, speaking on TNT Sports, admitted his dismay at the failed pursuit. "I was devastated he never came to Liverpool, to be honest, because we've had some defensive issues," the Liverpool legend reflected. He acknowledged that the player would have addressed a genuine weakness in the Reds' backline.

However, Gerrard's comments extended beyond Liverpool's disappointment to encompass a broader assessment of City's trajectory. Alongside Guehi, Manchester City have also secured Antoine Semenyo during the window, and Gerrard suggested these additions place them firmly in contention for honours on multiple fronts.

"With Man City's experience and quality, you can never write them off," he stated. "I think they'll go through in the Champions League and I don't think they'll go away in the Premier League title race, I think they'll be there until the end."

The implication was clear: despite Arsenal's current standing, City remain a formidable obstacle in the race for the crown.