Marc Guehi Breaks Silence on Anfield Hostility Following Game-Changing Man City Victory
Fresh Manchester City acquisition Marc Guéhi confessed he's "uncertain" about the reason Liverpool supporters jeered him during Sunday's encounter, which saw the Citizens pull off a stunning 2–1 turnaround triumph.
The defender faced an unwelcoming atmosphere from Reds fans when Pep Guardiola's squad took on the reigning English champions at Anfield. Hostile chants targeted Guéhi throughout most of the match, leaving the England star puzzled by the treatment.
"I'm uncertain why [they jeered] honestly, but I cannot influence what their supporters think about me," Guéhi commented post-match. "I'm simply thankful to our supporters for backing me and cheering me throughout the entire game."
Guéhi had reasons to rejoice when the final whistle blew on Sunday. Stoppage-time strikes from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland secured three crucial points for the Citizens, maintaining their hopes in the Premier League championship battle.
Why Liverpool Fans Heavily Booed Guéhi at Anfield
Why Liverpool Fans Heavily Booed Guéhi at Anfield
While Guéhi may be unaware of the reason behind such an antagonistic response from the Anfield faithful, the reception wasn't entirely surprising. The 25-year-old was previously on the verge of joining Arne Slot's team from Crystal Palace during the previous summer window.
The Eagles had reportedly agreed to Liverpool's £35 million ($47.3 million) bid for Guéhi, with the England defender even undergoing medical examinations on Merseyside before the transfer spectacularly collapsed on transfer deadline day due to Crystal Palace's failure to secure a replacement.
Following the collapsed move, Guéhi expressed his desire to join the Reds and showed reluctance to renew his Eagles contract beyond the 2025–26 campaign. Liverpool were anticipated to revive their pursuit of the talented player when he became available as a free agent this summer, but Man City intervened.
The Citizens secured Guéhi's services in a transfer valued at an initial £20 million (£26.8 million) to strengthen Guardiola's depleted defensive line. The center-back not only rejected Liverpool but also described Man City as "the finest club in England" upon his arrival, provoking anger among Reds fans.
Thrilling Victory Keeps the Pressure on Arsenal Atop the Table
Thrilling Victory Keeps the Pressure on Arsenal Atop the Table
A catastrophic start to the new year for Man City nearly eliminated them from Premier League title contention. However, Arsenal's mistakes kept the standings tighter than Mikel Arteta's squad would have preferred, allowing the Sky Blues an opportunity to restart their championship pursuit.
The team appeared destined to drop points again on Sunday, which could have given the Gunners an eight or nine-point advantage at the summit. Man City mounted a late comeback, however, reducing the gap to just six points behind the table-toppers.
Following the victory, Erling Haaland confidently declared "the championship battle continues until it's finished," serving as motivation for Guardiola's team during their challenging period.
For Guéhi, the opportunity to claim his maiden Premier League championship before the 2026 FIFA World Cup would represent a perfect conclusion to an otherwise challenging eighteen months.