Liverpool don reportedly make move during summer to sign Ronald Araujo from Barcelona, as the club dey fear say Ibrahima Konate fit no remain for Anfield beyond this season.
The report come from Sport for Spain, wey claim say the Reds bin “attempt” to bring in Araujo, but the Uruguayan no get plans to comot from Camp Nou.
This news land just as Liverpool dey go through rough patch — the Reds don lose three games back-to-back in all competitions, including Saturday 2-1 defeat to Chelsea for Stamford Bridge.
During that game, manager Arne Slot comot Konate after e pick small quadriceps injury. The coach go dey hope say the Frenchman go fit recover during the international break.
But even if he return, Liverpool hierarchy dey worry because Konate’s current contract go expire by end of this season. Some insiders believe say fans fit dey watch the final few months of the defender in Liverpool shirt.
Liverpool’s Centre-Back Crisis Without Konate
Konate’s injury come at terrible time. Giovanni Leoni don already rule out for the rest of the season, meaning only Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez remain as senior central defenders.
The pair once anchor Liverpool’s defence when dem win Premier League title for 2019–20, but Gomez no don play regular centre-back football for long time now.
Under Jurgen Klopp last few years, Gomez mostly play as full-back for both sides. Now Slot go need test whether the Englishman still get the sharpness and coordination to handle central defensive duties for long stretch.
Any other defensive injury now go force Liverpool to drop Wataru Endo from midfield into centre-back — one risky adjustment wey fit make the backline even more exposed.
Should Liverpool Allow Konate Join Real Madrid?
Konate don link heavily to Real Madrid in recent months, and based on his current struggles, some dey argue say it no go too bad if Liverpool cash in.
During the era wey Trent Alexander-Arnold dey play traditional right-back role, Konate no need to carry too much ball-playing responsibility. But since Trent start dey move inside midfield zones, Konate don struggle to progress play from the back.
Analysts don also note say forwards like Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak (who often press from high areas) no dey get the ball as frequently because Liverpool’s build-up from defence dey sluggish. Slot go need fix that problem quickly if he wan balance the team properly.
Why Liverpool Want Araujo or Guehi
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace don long be top target for Liverpool, but with Palace refusing to sell, the Reds turn attention to Ronald Araujo. Araujo’s leadership, pace, and confidence on the ball make am perfect fit for Slot’s system — but Barca no go even entertain discussion.
Guehi meanwhile dey offer something Liverpool badly need — ball-carrying ability and calm distribution from defence.
He fit turn defence into attack with accurate passes and composure under pressure, something Konate still dey struggle to deliver consistently. Slot’s Liverpool wan play from deep, and Guehi’s style fit make the transition smoother and reduce pressure on Van Dijk.
Bottom Line
Liverpool find themselves in one delicate position — Konate’s future uncertain, defensive depth weak, and long-term rebuild for Arne Slot still dey early stage.
The failed pursuit of Ronald Araujo show how serious the Reds dey about strengthening their backline. Whether dem go go again for Guehi or another elite centre-back come January transfer window, na matter wey go shape the next chapter of this Liverpool team.
