Liverpool’s backline is set to be shaken up for a second season in a row now that Ibrahima Konate is leaving.
Konate is not signing a new contract, instead departing on a free transfer this summer.
The Frenchman started the majority of matches this past season, but his form has been very mixed, which certainly did not help Jeremie Frimpong integrate into the team.
Has Konate lived up to his potential, or does he leave having not quite reached it?
The curtain comes down on five up and down years as a Red 😓
Jeremie Frimpong would thrive next to a Virgil van Dijk-like centre-back
Signed from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, the Dutchman arrived at Anfield in top form, having previously won the Bundesliga title with Florian Wirtz.
However, Frimpong has underperformed this season for a number of reasons.
One of them is surely down to having to play alongside Konate for much of the campaign.
The Frenchman’s inconsistent form has been highlighted by the likes of Jamie Carragher and fans on multiple occasions across 2025/26.
Previously, Virgil van Dijk had been able to cover up most of his errors, as he had a more stable backline around him.
But with Milos Kerkez also struggling to get up to speed, Alisson in and out of the team due to injury, and Frimpong taking time to adapt to life at Liverpool, Konate’s weakness became a much bigger problem.
This impacted Liverpool’s overall defensive ability, as shown by the fact that they conceded 53 Premier League goals – the second most in the top 10 behind only Bournemouth (54).
However, given the lack of experienced depth the Reds will have once Konate leaves, a new centre-back will need to be signed this summer.
If Liverpool get their transfer business right, a new stopper could, much like Van Dijk did for Trent Alexander-Arnold during his Anfield career, cover up for Frimpong’s obvious defensive shortcomings.
The reality in 2025/26, though, was that Konate just didn’t have the ability to do so, hence why Frimpong suffered when used at right-back.
Which centre-back must Liverpool sign to replace Konate in the starting XI?
We've compiled four realistic options, but who is your choice?
Will Jeremie Frimpong still be Liverpool’s main right-back?
The alternative option could be that Frimpong takes up a more advanced role for much of next season.
Carragher has suggested the Dutchman could become a winger, saying last month: “Jeremie Frimpong has done all right actually. I think he has done OK.
“But for me, I think Frimpong should be the back-up right-winger to the one that we buy in the summer. And I think Conor Bradley can fight with a new right-back that comes in.”
However, that would require Liverpool to sign a new right-back, a centre-back to replace Konate and a new winger to replace Mohamed Salah all in the same window.
But after spending £450m last summer, it is hard to see FSG wanting to go that big in the transfer market again.
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