Liverpool’s defensive depth has thinned to a worrying level, pushing the club toward the market for a new centre-half.
With Giovanni Leoni sidelined for roughly a year, Arne Slot is effectively down to three senior options: Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez. That trio looks strong on paper, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
Konaté’s knock against Chelsea was a reminder of how quickly the situation can tilt from manageable to precarious. Even though the injury may not cost him matches, the scare underlined Liverpool’s vulnerability.
Slot’s in-game response didn’t exactly soothe nerves either; instead of immediately turning to Gomez at centre-back, he dropped Ryan Gravenberch into the back line—an improvisation that hinted at limited trust in the current cover.
The medium-term picture
This isn’t only a short-term headache. Konaté’s contract status adds a layer of uncertainty heading into next year, which is why Liverpool are expected to retool the position rather than ride out the season and hope for perfect fitness.
The club’s recruitment team has been modelling different scenarios and running data-led comparisons to identify a defender who fits stylistically and financially.
Options on the board
Late in the last window, Liverpool pushed for Marc Guéhi but couldn’t get a deal over the line.
Revisiting the Crystal Palace captain in 2026 won’t be straightforward. An expiring contract typically invites a bidding scrum, and with it, higher wage expectations and fierce competition.
That reality has Liverpool widening the net. One name with growing traction is Ousmane Diomande of Sporting CP.
Reports suggest he’s expected to move next year after two seasons of constant links away from Lisbon. While the headline figure has been an eye-watering €80m, that number is anticipated to fall as his deal winds down, potentially placing him in a more attainable bracket.
Fit vs. value
From a profiling standpoint, Diomande checks many of the boxes Liverpool prize: athletic range to defend space, comfort stepping into midfield, and the ability to play in a high line. Crucially, though, club sources stress he’s part of a broader shortlist generated by performance data—not the only answer. If the price doesn’t align with Liverpool’s value models, they’ll pivot.
The bottom line
Liverpool needs a centre-back—not for the sake of a headline, but to stabilise a unit living on the edge of its depth chart. Whether it’s Diomande, a renewed run at Guéhi down the line, or another data-approved candidate, expect movement. The next signing at the heart of defence looks both likely and, given the circumstances, pivotal.
As featured on Walkon.com
