Danny Murphy: Marc Guehi will believe he can get into Liverpool’s starting XI

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has told NewBettingSites.uk that he thinks Marc Guehi has the belief in himself and the talent to go to any of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and get himself into the starting XI.

Speaking to NewBettingSites.uk, Murphy said: “I’d be surprised if any player given the choice between Newcastle and Liverpool would choose the former, unless they were worried about their minutes. There’s more competition at Liverpool maybe not right for players who want to be the main man.

“In the case of Marc Guehi, I think he’d be great at either club because he’s a wonderful player and I understand the interest in him. I love his calmness and how quick and strong he is, he’s been a leader for some time as the Palace captain. He’s also England’s first-choice centre-half in my opinion.

“I think he’d be a fantastic asset to Liverpool. It depends on the stage of career for some players but from my time, the best players had belief in themselves and wouldn’t get preoccupied with competition for places. Guehi will want to go and prove that he’s a first-team player at the biggest and best clubs.

“He’ll look at the Liverpool side and think he can get into that XI and that he’s better than Ibrahima Konate, and that’s the mentality you want in your team. If you’ve got a top group of players together, from a manager’s perspective you can see the ones that thrive in the competition and the ones that struggle.”

Getting Isak would make Liverpool better

Murphy commented on the Alexander Isak transfer saga, claiming that the Newcastle frontman would undoubtedly bolster Liverpool’s chances of winning silverware this season.

“Getting Alexander Isak would make this Liverpool side better because he’s a wonderful player who’d give them more options in the attack – it’s a simple equation. If they don’t get him, I think they need one more attacking player to ensure competition for places and in case of injuries.

“We might see more of Federico Chiesa this season, he seems fitter and has had a pre-season and that could be a bonus for Liverpool. Of course they’ve sadly lost Diogo Jota, but their outgoings this season have included Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez. They’ve only brought in Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike as replacements.

“I think the Isak deal can’t happen, it’d be beneficial for the team to bring in another attacker, even if it’s a wide player just to give them the options with the amount of games they’re going to play.”

Wirtz is De Bruyne’s successor in the Premier League

Murphy has no doubts that mega-signing Florian Wirtz will settle into Premier League life very soon, likening him to Kevin De Bruyne.

“It’s only a matter of time before Wirtz kicks into gear, form is temporary and class is permanent, and he’s class. He’s got the gift of seeing pictures on the pitch and he makes things happen. He’s brave and believes in himself, but he will give the ball away and make mistakes but that’s the kind of player he is. Kevin De Bruyne has been the best in that position for the last decade and he gave the ball away trying to win games and make things happen all the time.

“The good players aren’t scared to do that, that’s just what they do. I think there’s been some extremely positive signs in the link-up between him and Ekitike already. He’s constantly asking for the ball and moving around finding space, he’s got the balance and skill needed to weave out of tough, tight situations.

“Ultimately it’s his passing and awareness that’s going to create things and excite. He’ll be absolutely fine in the Premier League, he just needs the time to find his feet and build those relationships with his teammates. I’ve got no doubt in my mind that he’ll be a roaring success.”

Liverpool’s business has been exciting this transfer window

Murphy discussed Liverpool’s transfer window, claiming that despite losing some key players, they’ve reinforced their squad with some exciting new prospects that offer a wealth of new talent to the side.

“This has been a really exciting window for Liverpool. It’s been productive in terms of replacing players that have left and giving the squad some new qualities that they previously lacked. We know Jeremie Frimpong is a different player to Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Wirtz is different to any of their existing central midfielders. Ekitike is unique in his physicality, too.

“They’ve added elements to the team they didn’t have before but they’ll also miss some of the things that Diaz and Nunez brought. It’s just a case of putting the pieces of the jigsaw together for Arne Slot now.

“Milos Kerkez had a phenomenal season in the Premier League last season for Bournemouth and he’ll take a little bit of time to adapt to a new team, that’s natural. This team is going to be very different to what he’s used to but he’s young and has a brilliant teacher next to him in Virgil van Dijk.

“You’re expected to win every week in this side and you’ve got millions of fans around the world watching every second that you play. When you bring in this many new players, there’ll be some bumps in the road and the fans understand that.

“Keeping Andy Robertson is a big deal and I hope he stays. He’s such a big character and a leader and he’s still got plenty to offer. He’s a great role model for Kerkez to learn from. We’ve been a bit spoilt with Robertson, because if you talk about the best left-backs to play for Liverpool over the last 50 years, he’s definitely in that conversation, and that’s the biggest compliment I can give him.

“Joe Gomez can even play on that right side and you’ve got Conor Bradley there already waiting in the wings. The full-back depth is good so if it doesn’t all go too well immediately, there’s choices there, they’re not completely reliant on these two new players.”

This Liverpool side has potential to be better than last year’s

Murphy reckons that with the new signings, Liverpool’s current squad can exceed the heights reached last season.

“I think this team could potentially exceed that of last season’s. I certainly think it’s going to grow and get better. I don’t think they’re anywhere near the finished article with the team they’ve got now. People don’t expect everything to fall perfectly into place immediately, that takes weeks, even months to happen.

“I think this team has the potential to get more points than last season, and whether that is enough to win the league depends on how the other teams get on. They’ve got so many options, lots of pace and creativity, and I think that’s very exciting.”