The Stats That Prove Liverpool Must Act Fast to Secure Their Backline | OneFootball

Why Liverpool Must Secure Konaté’s Future – The Stats Don’t Lie

In a compelling episode of the Stat Me Up podcast on Anfield Index, Dr Phil Barter and host Dave Davis laid out an unflinching case for why Liverpool must renew Ibrahima Konaté’s contract. With his deal entering its final 12 months and negotiations reportedly dragging, the numbers and performances suggest this is a decision that could significantly shape the club’s defensive future.

Dominance in the Duo: Konaté and Van Dijk

As Dr Phil Barter makes clear, Liverpool have a truly formidable partnership in Konaté and Virgil van Dijk. “Together, they’ve got an 81% win rate,” Barter reveals. “That’s pretty amazing.” It’s a number that simply demands respect. The data indicates that when these two start together, Liverpool not only win more but also play better at both ends of the pitch.

“They have the best win percentage as a pair,” Barter continues. “They have the best defensive record and the best attacking metrics as a pair.” For a club now led by Arne Slot and facing a transitional summer, locking in consistency at centre-back should be a priority. Konaté may not be Van Dijk – “he’s not Van Dijk and I think we should be very clear about that” – but he is the closest Liverpool have to an elite number two.

Metrics That Matter

What separates Konaté from the rest isn’t just the results – it’s how he contributes to them. “He’s got a pass success rate of 90%, up there with Van Dijk’s 92%,” Barter explains, highlighting a key evolution in the Frenchman’s game. His passing game, often critiqued early in his Liverpool career, has improved substantially.

When it comes to aerial duels, he leads Liverpool’s defenders with a 76% win rate. In terms of progressive carrying, Barter notes, “He carries the ball better…progressively 66% of centre-halves.” These aren’t vanity stats; they’re qualities that impact structure, recovery, and even attacking build-up – particularly important with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future unclear.

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The Cost of Letting Him Go

The looming reality, as Davis put it bluntly, is that “if he doesn’t renew soon, they will sell him this summer.” Liverpool cannot afford to lose such a key figure and scramble for an immediate replacement – especially when, as Barter notes, “Konaté has played a World Cup final, a Champions League final, set to be a title winner.”

There are options being considered, like Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen. But as Barter points out, while promising, “he is a kid,” and Konaté “is above Huijsen by a bit of distance.” The Frenchman’s experience and physicality remain unmatched within the potential alternatives.

Value Versus Replacement

Could Liverpool replace Konaté if he left? Technically, yes. Barter acknowledges that “you could potentially go and buy…center-halves that have got a similar passing range and are younger.” But would they come with Premier League experience, Champions League pedigree, and established chemistry with Van Dijk? Highly unlikely.

As Davis highlights, “You don’t want to mess with that [Konaté-VVD pairing]. You want to lock that in.” In a season where Liverpool’s defence under Slot will require both steel and subtlety, Konaté provides a rare blend of both.

Final Whistle

The verdict from both Dr Phil Barter and Dave Davis is unequivocal. Konaté is more than just a partner to Van Dijk – he’s central to Liverpool’s defensive identity. Letting him run down his contract would be a footballing and financial error of the highest order.

“He’s a superb centre-half,” says Barter. “He’s certainly in our best pairing.” The win rate, the metrics, the on-ball development – all roads point to the same conclusion: Liverpool must renew Ibrahima Konaté.