"It's a sad day for football. I don't begrudge players wanting to leave, but when a club is paying you thousands of USD a week, you should train and play," Carragher told Sky Sports on 2/9.

Alexander Isak joined Liverpool and Yoane Wissa moved to Newcastle on the final day of the 2025 summer transfer window.

Marc Guehi celebrates during Crystal Palace's 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in the third round of the Premier League at Villa Park, Birmingham, England, on 31/8/2025. _Photo: Reuters_

Isak’s record-breaking $175.5 million USD transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool and Wissa’s $75 million USD move from Brentford to Newcastle capped a dramatic final day. Both forwards had refused to play in pre-season friendlies and the first three Premier League matches.

In contrast, Marc Guehi continued to train and play for Crystal Palace despite expressing his desire to leave. Liverpool agreed a $47.4 million USD fee and scheduled a medical for the English center-back. However, chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug at the last minute when the club couldn't find a suitable replacement. Manager Oliver Glasner had repeatedly insisted on keeping the 25-year-old and even threatened to resign if he was sold.

Carragher contrasted Guehi's professionalism with Isak and Wissa's rebellious behavior. "He behaved professionally, remained popular with the manager and fans. Yet, it's the players who exert pressure who get their moves," the former Liverpool center-back commented.

The situation is further complicated, according to Carragher, by clubs, teammates, and fans readily forgiving players who stay and score goals. "I saw it with Luis Suarez. When they score, everyone cheers, hugs, and everything is forgotten," he shared.

Carragher believes signing Isak was more crucial for Liverpool than Guehi, given their four center-back options: Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, new signing Giovanni Leoni, and Ryan Gravenberch who can play out of position. "A center-back is needed for the future as Van Dijk is getting older, and Konate has contract issues. But compared to a striker, Isak is clearly more important," Carragher emphasized.

Despite the Guehi deal collapsing, Liverpool had a record-breaking transfer window, spending $584.5 million USD. Before Isak, they acquired Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Giovanni Leoni.

With three wins from their first three matches, Carragher stated: "It's hard not to see Liverpool as the biggest title contenders. Even when they haven't played their best, they've taken all 9 points."

Hong Duy (_via Sky Sports_)