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Marc Guehi is poised to captain Crystal Palace in the team's upcoming Premier League clash against Liverpool, a game that could have seen him donning the opposition's colors.
The England center-back was on the cusp of a move to Anfield during the summer transfer window's final hours, only for Palace to pull the plug at the last minute. Guehi had allegedly recorded a farewell video, and many Eagles fans would have sympathised with his decision to depart, even if they didn't concur.
However, he will remain at Selhurst Park until at least the New Year. Liverpool's missed chance to secure Guehi has been highlighted this week following fellow center-back Giovanni Leoni's severe knee injury during the Carabao Cup triumph over Southampton.
The Italian, a summer signing from Parma, was substituted toward the end of the 2-1 victory and is likely to be out of action for several months, leaving Arne Slot with a dearth of defensive options until the winter transfer window.
As Palace welcomes Liverpool to London, Guehi will get an opportunity to pit his skills against Liverpool's record acquisition Alexander Isak.
The pair could potentially be colleagues next season, although - for the time being, at least - the defender hasn't found it too difficult to disregard the rumors and focus on his game.
"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."
Discussing his goal, Guehi said: "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.
"[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 deal runs out at the end of the season, and he appears unlikely to sign fresh terms. Palace may field offers in January, with Liverpool among numerous clubs keeping tabs on developments, though the Eagles might opt to allow him to depart on a free transfer come summer.
A possible Real Madrid switch has also been suggested, which would see Guehi link up with England colleagues Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham.
His keenness to move to Anfield has been made clear, though, and Slot's desire to land the 25-year-old remains firm despite the summer signing of youngster Leoni. Palace's decision to keep hold of Guehi came after talks between manager Oliver Glasner and the club's senior figures, where the Austrian made his position abundantly clear.
He dismissed suggestions he had threatened to quit if the center-back was sold, but outlined the risks Crystal Palace would face had they accepted the money.
"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 manager 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 was part of the Palace side that kept clean sheets home and away against Fredrikstad to book the club's place in the Conference League proper, with Glasner's team boasting the joint-best defensive record in the division having conceded just two goals.
The Eagles won 2-1 at West Ham in their latest match, ensuring they and Liverpool remain the only teams yet to suffer defeat after five games.
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