Marc Guehi is a center-back who has been proven in the Premier League, and his debut in the Manchester City shirt shows that he almost immediately integrated into Pep Guardiola's system.
Losing the England international to a direct opponent is considered a significant loss for Liverpool, in the context that the championship race this season is still very open.
Just a few minutes after making his debut at the Etihad, Guehi almost scored from a set-piece situation. He would also have his first assist if Antoine Semenyo had successfully taken advantage of the opportunity. However, the 20 million pound center-back still had a complete debut with a clean sheet in the 2-0 victory over Wolves.
After only two training sessions, Guardiola quickly understood why Guehi is considered one of the most profitable contracts of the season.
The way he moves, communicates, observes space and reads situations is really special. You can trust him" - the Spanish captain shared.
That quick adaptation did not surprise the Spanish strategist. Guehi is famous for his composure when holding the ball, early judgment and extremely disciplined playing style. These are qualities that are particularly suitable for Man City's control philosophy.
In the match against Wolves, Guehi had 115 touches, made 98 accurate passes - more than any other player in the Premier League in the same round. This number far exceeds his statistics in Crystal Palace colors, showing a clear difference when playing in a comprehensive control system.
Guehi himself also admitted that the environment at Etihad brings completely different requirements. "The level of detail focus here is pushed to a new level. When there is both ball and no ball, you must focus to the maximum" - the England international said.
While Man City fans were quickly convinced by the 25-year-old center-back, on the other side, Liverpool had a forgettable weekend at Bournemouth. Their defense collapsed due to injury, Virgil van Dijk made a mistake, and Wataru Endo was forced to play as an unwilling center-back in the final minutes.
Liverpool have considered Guehi in many transfer windows. Being left-footed makes him considered an ideal long-term successor to Van Dijk. But instead of investing in the future, the Merseyside team missed the opportunity. And now Man City is benefiting.
When asked about the difference compared to last winter's transfer strategy - when Man City signed Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis - Guardiola admitted that the moves in this transfer window are completely different.
Speaking about Guehi and Semenyo, the Spanish strategist emphasized: "They did not come here for just 6 months. These are contracts for many years. The fee is very reasonable and they are at the ideal age, 25-26 years old. Those are great deals for Man City".
At the age of 25, Guehi is entering the peak of his career. He is not only a short-term option, but also a strategic piece of The Citizens for many coming seasons.
When I came here, my goal was very clear. Chasing Arsenal and winning the Premier League title. Every training session is aimed at victory" - Guehi affirmed.
Guehi's appearance not only makes Man City stronger but will also make all competitors worried.
