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Liverpool Ramp Up Centre-Back Search as Guehi’s Summer Exit Is Confirmed and Konate’s Future Hangs in the Balance

Injuries plus contract uncertainty have pushed Liverpool to fast-track defensive recruitment.

Overview

  • Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed Marc Guehi will leave next summer after a £35m move to Liverpool collapsed on deadline day when Palace lacked a replacement.
  • Liverpool are down to three senior fit centre-backs — Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez — following Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending ACL, with the champions eighth after 11 league matches.
  • Konate has under a year left on his deal, and reporting suggests Liverpool could consider a sizeable January bid if they can secure a replacement first.
  • Recruitment options being evaluated include revisiting Guehi, monitoring Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck — with reports of a possible sale and Barcelona interest — exploring a buy-back for Jarell Quansah, and tracking Ezri Konsa, who Aston Villa are unlikely to sell in January.
  • Pundits and local reports argue a January centre-back signing is now a priority to stabilize Arne Slot’s squad after a poor run of results.