Danny Murphy calls nightmare Liverpool transfer failure 'a kick in the teeth'

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has criticized the club's transfer strategy after Marc Guehi joined Manchester City, calling it a 'kick in the teeth' following Liverpool's failed summer pursuit

Danny Murphy has made his feelings clear(Image: Getty Images)

Danny Murphy says Marc Guehi's move to Manchester City was a genuine "kick in the teeth" and believes Liverpool should have made a fresh attempt to sign him this month to prevent him joining a rival, following the Merseyside club's failed summer pursuit.

The England defender stayed at Crystal Palace as the London club couldn't find a suitable replacement in time. Despite the Reds' preference not to pay transfer fees for players nearing the end of their contracts, this approach backfired as they lost out on Guehi, with City pouncing to seal the deal.

Speaking on Betting Sites, former Liverpool star Murphy described the outcome as: "I think it was a blow, a real blow.

"When you look at it, okay, the wages are high, granted, but the fee for a player of that quality, that experience, that calmness, speed and athleticism - someone very well versed in Premier League football, an international, a captain for his club - he's a leader.

"So it's a big miss. And it's one of your rivals as well. It probably wouldn't be so frustrating for Liverpool supporters if he'd gone abroad - that would be more understandable, maybe a lifestyle choice.

"But to go to Manchester City is a kick in the teeth, especially as Liverpool are so reliant on [Ibrahima] Konate and [Virgil] van Dijk, without the real backup needed to sustain a challenge for the big trophies.

Marc Guehi joined Manchester City instead of Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

"If Konate has had a couple of games out because of personal reasons, [Joe] Gomez has come in and got injured, they signed a young lad, and he's done his cruciate.

"So the need for Liverpool to get that position sorted at the beginning of the season was greater.

"I said this before the season when I was asked about it - getting him over the line was more important than [Alexander] Isak, I felt, and I stand by that now.

"If Van Dijk or Konate miss time, Liverpool are struggling anyway. And if they want to go deep in the Champions League, which is very possible, you need cover."

Murphy added: "For Liverpool Football Club, that's an imbalance of the squad.

"It's not something you expect at an elite club when you've got the funds Liverpool have to balance the squad out. So they made an error.

"And although the window's closing rapidly, I still expect them to be looking to bring someone in, whether on loan or otherwise.

"They might not be able to get the quality they want, but I'd be amazed if they're not looking to strengthen in that area."