Despite outgoings of £200m+ during the summer, departures away from Liverpool just don’t seem to stop. Filling the holes needed more than double that money, but there are still some lines that face depth issues.
The centre back position, as we know, is only occupied by three senior defenders at Anfield. There are four centre-backs in total, including the 18-year-old summer signing Giovanni Leoni.
Despite having been hailed as Premier League-ready by Reds gaffer Arne Slot, Leoni is yet to make his debut for the English outfit.
The Italian has definitely shown much potential, but whether he can handle back-to-back English football is still up for debate. Following the depth issue, Marc Guéhi was expected to sign for Liverpool on deadline day during the summer.
Unfortunately, Crystal Palace changed their mind in the 11th hour, with the Englishman staying at Selhurst Park till at least January.
Having almost signed for the Reds, Guéhi was expected to make a similar move in 2026. However, things have changed as the Englishman is looking forward to making his dream move next year.
It was supposed to be Liverpool, but now Real Madrid seems more persuasive for the Palace skipper. Joe Gomez has also seen interest from Italy and might leave for Milan in January.
Quiz: Can you name the team Liverpool signed these players from?
Real Madrid make their first move for Liverpool defender Konaté
Ibrahima Konaté has already been in contact with Real Madrid (Credits: Imago Images)
Los Blancos’ interest in Ibrahima Konaté was a known fact. The move was meant to lure them away from Marc Guéhi, but it looks like Xabi Alonso won’t be shy about making multiple moves in 2026.
Madrid are looking for as many reinforcements as possible and would be more than happy to lure in both Konaté and Guéhi in 2026.
Alonso was confident in signing the Frenchman, and now, according to Marca, the Spanish giants seem to have made their first contact with the Liverpool defender.
As 2026 approaches, the time for Slot to decide his future defence gets thinner and thinner. Guéhi is probably out of reach unless Real Madrid decide not to sign him.
Ronald Araújo is the only defender on the Reds’ radar right now. However, there is no information regarding FC Barcelona’s willingness to sell the Uruguayan defender.
The Merseysiders previously tried to chain Konaté at Anfield with extension talks. The Frenchman’s agent was well open to them, but they seem to have fallen through.
The Reds would’ve sold him in January, but with Guéhi’s situation being shaky, Slot might decide to take his time and let the defender leave for free.
