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Marc Guehi twisted the knife in Liverpool's wounds as the Reds endured their maiden Premier League loss of the campaign at Crystal Palace, with the defender providing the assist for the decisive strike.
Liverpool appeared poised to salvage a point when Federico Chiesa found the net in the 87th minute, only for Eddie Nketiah to deliver a stoppage-time winner courtesy of the Eagles skipper's clever flick-on. The center-back, Guehi, might well have been lining up for Arne Slot's side at Selhurst Park instead of opposing them.
Yet he witnessed a switch to Anfield crumble on transfer deadline day when Palace withdrew after being unable to secure a replacement. Despite persistent rumors surrounding his future, both prior to and following transfer deadline day, Guehi has continued to deliver outstanding displays for Palace.
This proved the case once more at Selhurst Park on Saturday as he contributed to stifling a substandard Reds outfit.
Speaking on Final Score, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown expressed his view that had Liverpool successfully acquired Guehi earlier in the month, the Reds would have instead triumphed over Palace.
"I think this was really won in that tug-of-war to keep Guehi at the football club," Keown said. "(Oliver) Glasner was very aggressive, (he took) an aggressive stance.
"If Guehi was playing today for Liverpool, and maybe in a different world he could have been, Konate got the run-around today, and you saw what they were missing. Guehi was really important to their defence, and they got the necessary win that they need."
Liverpool's arrival at the match already short of a center-back, following Giovanni Leoni's season-ending ACL injury, only intensified focus on Guehi and his collapsed transfer to Anfield.
The Reds maintain their interest in the England international, whose contract expires at the season's conclusion.
However, Arne Slot has emphasised that Leoni's setback won't prompt the Reds to pursue Guehi afresh in January, with it previously being understood that a mid-season approach for the defender was improbable given his approaching Bosman situation.
Guehi remains fully committed to Palace despite expectations he'll depart the club in 2026.
This dedication was evident even before Saturday's clash with Liverpool, as he expressed his loyalty to the London outfit in his captain's notes within the official matchday programme.
"I think it's a sign of the progress that we have made as a team in recent months that, in such tight matches, we are now coming away with wins or, at the very least, a draw," he wrote. "To go 17 matches unbeaten in all competitions at this level is a great achievement - but as a group we are not satisfied yet. There is still a lot of the season ahead of us.
"As a team, we have a determination to compete to win every single game, regardless of whether that is a friendly or cup final. That doesn't come down to the efforts of just one player in one position - it's a collective desire, as a group, to fight for one another, for the badge, and for the club. The strength of that mentality alone makes us a difficult opponent to face for any team.
"That mentality will not change when we take on Liverpool at Selhurst today. We know how well they have started this season, with seven straight wins in all competitions, including in Europe. But we are in our own brilliant run of form, and as we showed against Liverpool at Wembley back in August, on our day, we have the ability to compete with the very best sides in the world.
"Today is another chance to prove that Selhurst Park stands shoulder to shoulder with the best atmospheres in the Premier League. We'll leave everything on the pitch to claim another three points this afternoon, so make some noise, drive the team forward, and let's look to keep this brilliant run going."
Living up to those promises, Guehi delivered an outstanding performance that helped the Eagles extend their remarkable unbeaten streak to 18 matches, with their triumph over Liverpool propelling them into second place in the table.
Glasner's faith was ultimately vindicated as Liverpool was left to regret missing out on Guehi. While the England international may still find himself at Anfield next year, he has once more shown precisely why his dedication to Palace, at least in the immediate future, remains beyond doubt.
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