Five potential Marc Guehi alternatives Liverpool are eyeing, including Bundesliga trio

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TBR Football assesses five alternatives Liverpool are monitoring should the club fail to convince Marc Guehi to join upon the expiry of his Crystal Palace contract.

Palace pulled the plug on Guehi’s exit in the final hours of deadline day despite reaching a £35 million agreement to sell their captain to the champions.

The Eagles failed to find a suitable replacement for the defender, and now TBR Football understands Liverpool will have no leverage for Guehi when the player assesses his options at the end of the season.

Now, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has shared five potential centre-back options that the Reds could look to target instead of the England international.

Nico Schlotterbeck

Liverpool definitely “like” Nico Schlotterbeck, and club officials were present for Germany’s clash against Northern Ireland to assess the centre-back and monitor Florian Wirtz’s performance.

The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the leading central defenders in the Bundesliga, but as things stand, the Reds’ interest is likely to be thwarted by Bayern Munich.

Bailey said: “Schlotterbeck is a player that Premier League clubs are not sure about, him and his brother have been looked at since they were teenagers, but nobody went for it – I am not convinced we see him in England, but clearly he is a huge talent.

“Liverpool are doing their work on options, but I am told Bayern Munich is more likely for Schlotterbeck at this point.”

Dayot Upamecano

Another Bundesliga talent on the radar at Anfield is Dayot Upamecano, who has entered the final year of his contract in Munich.

Upamecano has been strongly linked to Liverpool as well as Premier League rivals Manchester United, but his potential arrival appears to be tied to the unresolved future of Ibrahima Konate.

The Frenchman has yet to sign an extension at Anfield and will be free to leave the Reds at the end of the season as things stand, but the club could move for his compatriot should he opt not to extend his deal at the Allianz Arena.

Bailey said: “Upamecano, like Konate, it depends on whether he wants to leave on a free – talks are ongoing with Bayern, but Liverpool have made enquiries and registered an interest.”

Castello Lukeba

TBR Football revealed in May that Liverpool are interested in Castello Lukeba, having enjoyed success with Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai, who were previously at RB Leipzig.

The 22-year-old has a £70m release clause in his contract in Germany, but widespread reports suggest Leipzig would be willing to negotiate a sale for less.

However, the fee required is still deemed too expensive for the Reds, but he does remain a viable option as the club intend to pursue two new central defenders in future transfer windows.

Bailey said: “Lukeba, Liverpool like but he is far too expensive – they wanted over £60m – no chance at that price but they have looked and he could be in play for them.”

Joel Ordonez

Joel Ordonez has established himself as one of the best young defensive prospects in Europe due to his remarkable resurgence at Club Brugge.

The Ecuadorian international saw a £26m move to Marseille collapse this summer, and he is expected to make his long-awaited exit at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Liverpool have monitored Ordonez’s development alongside a host of Premier League sides as the Reds consider targeting another promising young talent after signing Giovanni Leoni from Parma.

Bailey said: “I think for January we need to keep an eye on someone like Ordonez – the Ecuadorian lad from Brugge, a young but huge talent, or maybe Taras Mykhavko from Kiev – Liverpool are working on a number of options.”

Taras Mykhavko

TBR Football exclusively revealed that Liverpool will rival Manchester United for Taras Mykhavko, having been encouraged by his progress in Ukraine.

The 20-year-old was named the Ukrainian Premier League’s Young Player of the Year last season as he helped Dynamo Kyiv secure the league title.

Liverpool have taken note of how well players from Eastern Europe settle into English football and believe Mykhavko is ready to make the switch.

Virgil van Dijk will turn 35 at the end of the season, and the Reds are preparing for the captain’s eventual exit, although he has shown no signs of decline thus far.