Attempting to solve their centre-back problem, Liverpool have now reportedly joined the race to sign a defensive addition who already knows Ibrahima Konate well.
Leoni injury hands Liverpool fresh problem
Despite spending over £400m in the summer, Liverpool failed to address their centre-back problem. The Reds went all in on Marc Guehi, only for Crystal Palace to pull the plug on his Anfield move in the final hours of deadline day and leave Arne Slot without the added defender that he so desperately wanted.
Without Guehi, Liverpool were left with Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Now, on paper, that should have been enough to ease any worries, but Leoni’s ACL injury has since reignited those concerns. Set to be without the 18-year-old for the majority of the campaign, the Reds have just three senior centre-backs to choose from, with one of them being the injury-prone Gomez.
It’s a problem that Anfield chiefs could solve in the January transfer window and reports are already suggesting that any move for Guehi could be accelerated as a result.
According to Sky Sports, there is “acceptance” that the England international’s time at the club is coming to an end – be it in January or when his contract expires next summer. The big question is whether Liverpool remain front of the queue for his signature.
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Real Madrid have reportedly shown interest in Guehi, which could see the Reds suffer defeat against a familiar foe in the transfer market. Alas, if that does prove to be the case, it seems as though those at Anfield already have a backup plan in mind.
Liverpool join race to sign Upamecano
As reported by BILD, Liverpool have now joined the race to sign Dayot Upamecano, with his £168,000-a-week Bayern Munich contract set to expire next summer. The Frenchman, who formed an impressive partnership next to Konate at RB Leipzig many moons ago, is on course to become a free agent and potentially hand the Reds an undeniable bargain as a result.
It’s set to be the summer of the contract rebels. Guehi looks almost certain to leave Palace either in January or as a free agent, whilst Upamecano could follow suit and Liverpool have their own contract issues with Konate.
The France international is yet to put pen to paper at Anfield and may yet join Trent Alexander-Arnold in Spain as a free agent amid interest from Real Madrid. It’s a move that would deal Liverpool another blow, but one that would also open the door for Upamecano.
Minutes
2,560
1,759
Progressive Passes
115
137
Tackles Won
26
22
Ball Recoveries
98
115
Dubbed a “fantastic player” by France teammate Lucas Hernandez, last season’s numbers suggest that Liverpool wouldn’t necessarily be getting a downgrade on Konate in Upamecano. In fact, the Bayern star even outperformed his former Leipzig partner in a number of departments.