Liverpool fans immediately picked up on how Virgil van Dijk reacted to Arne Slot shaking hands with Crystal Palace captain and rumoured target Marc Guehi prior to the Community Shield.
Liverpool’s Wembley Stars Shine — But All Eyes on Guehi After ‘Priceless’ Van Dijk Reaction
WEMBLEY — The Premier League champions kicked off their 2025/26 campaign with a high-profile Community Shield clash against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, and while the Reds’ debutants made headlines on the pitch, it was a post-match tunnel exchange that has tongues wagging.
Three of Liverpool’s new arrivals were thrown straight into the action. Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong both found the net, Florian Wirtz served up a delicious assist, and left-back Milos Kerkez impressed with his pace and composure in his official debut.
But the Reds’ transfer story might not be finished yet. While the long-running Alexander Isak saga looks increasingly unlikely to end at Anfield, reports suggest Liverpool remain in the hunt for England international Marc Guehi.
With Jarell Quansah now at Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez sidelined by injury, Liverpool’s defensive depth is paper-thin. Van Dijk’s regular partner Ibrahima Konaté is fit, but any further injuries could force Arne Slot to turn to midfielders Ryan Gravenberch or Wataru Endo to plug gaps at centre-half.
According to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, Liverpool are favourites to sign Guehi — whose Crystal Palace contract expires next summer — with former club Chelsea reportedly looking elsewhere despite Levi Colwill’s ACL blow. The Merseysiders have been quietly tracking the 25-year-old for months.
And at Wembley, the rumours gained fuel. After the final whistle, Guehi shared a firm handshake with Slot in the tunnel — just metres away from a grinning Virgil van Dijk, whose raised-eyebrow reaction was instantly captured on cameras. Social media erupted, with one fan writing:
“Van Dijk knows. The handshake says it all.”
With the transfer window still open and Liverpool’s defensive situation far from settled, the Guehi saga might just be about to move from quiet whispers to front-page news.
“Van Dijk Knows” — Fans Read Transfer Clues in Guehi Tunnel Moment
WEMBLEY — The Community Shield may have ended in penalty heartbreak for Liverpool, but a single handshake in the tunnel has set transfer gossip alight.
Reacting on X, one fan declared:
“Guehi to Liverpool is confirmed. Van Dijk’s reaction says it all.”
Another wrote:
“Van Dijk knows what Slot is doing with Guehi.”
A third posted:
“Virgil van Dijk’s reaction when Arne Slot high-fived Marc Guehi.”
And a fourth added:
“Van Dijk’s eyes on Slot as he shook hand with Guehi.”
Guehi, 25, delivered a standout performance in the 2-2 draw, frustrating Liverpool’s attack with his reading of the game and strength in the air. But late on, disaster struck — the Palace defender sat down in visible frustration before limping off, replaced by Justin Devenny, who would go on to score the decisive penalty in the shootout.
Speaking to TNT Sports before the match, Arne Slot addressed speculation over defensive reinforcements:
“We have more than enough options [in that area], but if we see a chance in the market we will not hesitate to act.”
