Liverpool enjoyed the Bernstorming summer transfer window, with an estimated £415 million spending, indicating the presence of the most ambitious and expensive spending in European football history.
Liverpool has not even provided a measure of willingness to break down such sums over a rarely condensed period, but last year the careful construction of the superpower under the wing of Jurgen Klopp, collided with new heights in the Arne Slot system, winning the Premier League and earning the stairwell by finishing first in the Champions League group phase.
This year, the Reds doubled their UK transfer record and won a confused battle with Newcastle United for Alexander Isaac ahead of free-scoring before signing Florian Wiltz for the first time from Bayer Leverkusen.
But it wasn’t all going down the Anfield side path. The announcement of the three Lions stars early in the day was considered a form as they missed defensive target Mark Ngwehi in the transfer deadline.
Liverpool’s Guech missed
Guehi remains at Crystal Palace. The 25-year-old centre half, who entered the final year of his contract, was bearded to make a career-change move for slots to Liverpool, but was defeated after the club failed to sign a fitting replacement, and Oliver Glasner reportedly threatened to take a walk if his sales were lit up in green.
But Guehi’s arrival was everything and never to be everything for Merseysiders, who had already welcomed Giovanni Leoni to the ranks from Italian Parma with a fee of £26 million and add-on.
Although Italy’s international is only 18, he has already shown incredible potential and is considered one of the world’s most talented young defenders.
Liverpool also resisted interest in Joe Gomez last month, so Real Guard has a variety of options, and skipper Virgil van Dick is still performing at the top of the game despite turning 34 in July.
In short, there’s not much to worry about, even if Guehi is one of the best on the UK coast.
The Palace may support an initial agreement with Liverpool due to internal conflict, but the league champions have the option to win them through the campaign.
Liverpool already has Guehi upgrades
Guehi has some top defenders made, but he probably isn’t there yet. The former Chelsea prospect captained the captain in 2025 with the FA Cup and Community Shield titles, but it’s safe to say he doesn’t live up to the height of Ibrahi Maconate in Liverpool.
While the 26-year-old Conate doesn’t enjoy the best start of the season, where he gets caught up in both Liverpool’s opening Premier League fixtures, the French are usually welcomed by analyst Josh Williams as “a monster that covers the ground and deals with one VS situation.”
Over four seasons at Liverpool, Conate has also been strong in both fitness slants on the field, with his performance winning last season’s title similar to Guehi’s own efforts throughout the year. So it’s clear why Liverpool wants to land a player that rivals athletic defenders.
Gehi vs Konate (Prem24/25) | ||
---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | Guehi | It’s known |
The goal scored | 0.09 | 0.04 |
assist | 0.06 | 0.07 |
touch | 62.70 | 76.82 |
Pass completed | 83.5% | 90.2% |
Progressive Pass | 3.94 | 4.04 |
Progressive Carry | 0.65 | 0.88 |
Goal Creation Action | 0.15 | 0.25 |
Tackle | 1.79 | 1.41 |
Intercept | 0.82 | 0.60 |
clearance | 4.80 | 4.68 |
block | 1.62 | 1.02 |
A duel won | 2.00 | 2.60 |
Data via FBREF |
Like Guehi, Konate stares at the end of his contract and despite his long efforts to reach a breakthrough, Liverpool still couldn’t convince the 70,000-pound week defender of the extension.
However, reports in recent months suggest that there has been a change in the narrative, with reporter Daveockop revealing that the speech is ongoing under the ominous background of Real Madrid’s sustained interest.
And, as they say, the class is permanent, with Conate making a staggering shift against Liverpool’s title rival, completing all 44 passes and standing strong against the wave of gunner’s attack.
You may feel that Liverpool has an exciting outlook for Leoni – and in fact they are probably right to consider him a potential superstar – but Conate is carved into one of the best in the business, and his track record suggests that Guehi didn’t banish him so easily if the deal was made on the deadline day.
All of this may well be unhappy with the supporters’ failed efforts to sign Guehi, but even if there is little cause for panic.
Konate is at the top of his game now. If Liverpool finds a breakthrough in negotiations to extend their stay in Merseyside, the tough tackle giant may find themselves reaching a new level, especially when it’s time for Van Dijk to bow.
Sofa Skore’s data even reveals that Conate even won 71% of his aviation duel on the previous top flights, while Garhi was much shorter at 6 feet tall, with Eagle’s time coming out at just 54%.
After all, it’s no coincidence that Konate started 30 times in the Premier League and won his first Premier League title in the same year that he sorted out his fitness level.
Conate – Premier League career | ||
---|---|---|
App (start) | g/a | A beautiful sheet |
25/26- 3 (3) | – | 1 |
24/25- 31 (30) | 3 | 11 |
23/24- 22 (17) | – | 5 |
22/23- 18 (17) | – | 7 |
21/22- 11 (11) | – | 4 |
Data based on sofa score |
Liverpool will need to sign centre-backs at some stage in the not too distant future, and Guehi may stay at the top of his shopping list as he approaches free agency.