Liverpool eye Guehi and Thiaw as possible replacements for Konate and Gomez
So, here’s where things stand with Liverpool’s defensive situation, and it’s one of those stories that feels like it could shape the club’s future. Right now, there’s real uncertainty around Ibrahima Konate. His contract is set to expire in 2026, and while talks are ongoing, the possibility of him leaving is starting to look more realistic by the day. Real Madrid have been circling and are said to be confident they can land him on a free transfer next summer. For a player who has been such an important part of Liverpool’s defense since arriving from RB Leipzig, that would be a massive blow.
Naturally, the big question is: who steps in if Konate moves on? Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace defender, is seen as the obvious candidate. Liverpool were already pushing to bring him in this past summer, but Palace pulled out of the deal at the very last moment. There’s an expectation, though, that the Reds will come back for him when his current deal at Selhurst Park expires. Guehi is young, talented, and fits the profile Liverpool want.
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But it’s not just about Konate. Joe Gomez’s future is also up in the air. He’s fallen down the pecking order in recent years, and with Giovanni Leoni joining the squad and Virgil van Dijk still around, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Gomez looks for a fresh start in 2026. That puts Liverpool in a position where they might actually need two new centre-backs instead of one.
This is where the stats come into play. According to FBref data, Newcastle United’s Malick Thiaw has been flagged up as the “perfect” replacement for Konate. Now, this might not go down well with Newcastle fans, but on paper, Thiaw matches up with what Liverpool want in a centre-back. He was first linked with the club back in his Schalke days, though nothing materialised at the time. However, there is a catch: his aerial duel success rate is notably lower than Konate’s. While Konate wins more than 72% of his aerial challenges, Thiaw sits at around 61%. It’s a big drop, and given how much Liverpool rely on aerial dominance, that’s a legitimate concern.
And then, there’s another name in the mix—Dayot Upamecano. The Bayern Munich defender is also heading toward the end of his contract, and Liverpool are said to be monitoring him closely. Imagine this: if Konate and Gomez were to leave, and Guehi and Upamecano were brought in without Liverpool spending a transfer fee, that would be quite the turnaround. It would refresh the backline, give manager Arne Slot a strong foundation, and perhaps even strengthen the team overall.
Of course, all of this depends on contracts, negotiations, and whether Liverpool want to push forward with multiple signings. But what’s clear is that change is coming. Van Dijk won’t be around forever, Gomez could be moving on, and Konate’s situation looks shaky. Guehi, Thiaw, and Upamecano represent the kind of options that could define Liverpool’s next defensive era. Fans will be watching closely, because the decisions made over the next year or so could set the tone for the club’s future at the back.
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