Ibrahima Konate’s future at Liverpool remains unclear, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain monitoring his situation.
Amid the noise of another long transfer window, it might be easy to overlook the fact that Liverpool have already kicked off their season.
Although the early fixtures have been limited to a few friendlies, the Community Shield, and the Premier League opener against Bournemouth, several key talking points have quickly emerged for Arne Slot.
One of the main concerns is inevitably linked to transfers — the form of centre-back Konate. Jamie Carragher, well-versed in the demands of Liverpool’s defence, criticised the Frenchman’s display in the 4-2 victory over Bournemouth.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher highlighted Konate’s role in allowing Antoine Semenyo to surge more than 50 yards unchecked before scoring the visitors’ second goal.
”For Semenyo to run that far and get his shot away is incredible – but where is Konate going?” said Carragher. “He had a really, really poor night at centre-back.
”There is definitely a problem that Arne Slot has to solve. People say ‘they need a centre-back’. A centre-back doesn’t fix that. He just takes Konate’s place.”
Liverpool have strengthened their defence this summer, signing 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni from Parma for an initial £26million and holding talks with Crystal Palace over England international Marc Guehi. These moves follow the £35m sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, which left a gap in their centre-back options.
Konate has long been the trusted partner of captain Virgil van Dijk, both under Jurgen Klopp and more recently with Arne Slot, starting 30 of 38 league games as Liverpool claimed the title last season.
However, his shaky start to the current campaign continues a pattern that arguably began against Paris Saint-Germain in last year’s Champions League, where he struggled in both legs and played a part in the French side’s decisive goal at Anfield.
He ended last season behind Quansah in the pecking order but reclaimed his spot after replacing him at half-time in Slot’s first game at Ipswich Town. Konate produced an impressive run of form before suffering an injury in the Champions League win over Real Madrid, which sidelined him for six weeks. Since then, he has struggled to regain his sharpest level.
Adding to the uncertainty, Konate has now entered the final 12 months of his Liverpool contract. Although there was some movement in renewal talks earlier this summer, no agreement has been reached.
The ongoing speculation proved a distraction late last season, and with both Real Madrid and PSG reportedly prepared to wait until the Frenchman becomes a free agent next summer, the pressure will only mount if a deal remains unsigned.
That is why the potential addition of Guehi is so significant. While Liverpool must prepare for a long-term successor to the 34-year-old Van Dijk, Guehi, fresh from captaining Palace to FA Cup success, would expect to compete immediately for a starting place if he makes the switch.
Such a scenario could encourage Konate’s suitors to make a move before the transfer deadline on September 1. And if Liverpool find themselves with five senior centre-backs at that point, Slot may be forced into a difficult decision.
In other news, Liverpool Urged to Sign £82m Striker Instead of Alexander Isak, Claims ‘Better Fit’ with Wirtz & Ekitike