Liverpool Urged to Prioritise Move for Crystal Palace Star | OneFootball

Liverpool Defence Under Spotlight After Bournemouth Win

Konate’s Uncertainty Raises Questions

Liverpool’s 4-2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield showcased the attacking firepower of Arne Slot’s champions, yet it also underlined the defensive issues threatening to undermine their title defence. Federico Chiesa and Mo Salah scored late goals to seal the points, but it was the manner in which Antoine Semenyo was allowed to sprint from one end of the pitch to the other before finishing that caused alarm.

Ibrahima Konate found himself heavily criticised after standing off the Bournemouth forward, leaving Jamie Carragher to deliver a withering assessment on Sky Sports. “What is Konate doing? Oh my God. He’s been absolutely shocking tonight,” said the former Liverpool defender.

Photo: IMAGO

Konate’s display comes at a time when his contract negotiations are delicately poised. With only a year remaining on his deal, Liverpool risk a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold saga, which ended with the academy product departing for Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Express Calls for Swift Action

The Express have suggested that Liverpool’s transfer priorities may need urgent revision. Their report states: “A sale of Konate, whose head already appears to be looking towards the exit door, would help fund a bid for the Crystal Palace star. If Slot hesitates, he faces the prospect of a season with a demotivated star in the heart of defence who has no intention of staying.”

This raises the prospect of Marc Guehi becoming Liverpool’s next defensive target. With Crystal Palace unwilling to let their captain leave cheaply, the need to act decisively is clear. Slot has already shown he is prepared to make bold decisions since succeeding Jurgen Klopp, but few choices would be bigger than reshaping the heart of his defence.

Balancing Attack and Defence

Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak remains one of the summer’s headline transfer stories, with a rejected £110 million bid highlighting the scale of the club’s ambition. Yet as the Express argues, Friday’s victory suggested the club’s attacking depth, with Chiesa and Salah decisive late on. The greater concern may be the fragility at the back.

Allowing Konate to remain unsettled risks destabilising a defence that already demands reinforcements. If Guehi is the answer, then decisive moves must be made before the September 1 deadline.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot’s Next Major Decision

Since his arrival, Slot has not shied away from difficult calls. Guiding Liverpool to a Premier League title in his first season has given him both credibility and trust, but the coming weeks could define the trajectory of his second campaign. Moving Konate on and replacing him with Guehi would be bold, yet it might also be the most effective way to secure stability as Liverpool chase further honours in England and Europe.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Konate has long been viewed as a player with potential to become Liverpool’s defensive cornerstone, but too many moments like Friday night’s lapse have raised doubts. When Jamie Carragher calls a defender “absolutely shocking” on live television, the frustration is shared by thousands of fans.

The idea of moving for Marc Guehi resonates strongly. Guehi offers leadership, reliability, and consistency, traits that have sometimes eluded Konate. Selling a player who appears uncertain about his future, while reinvesting in a captain from another Premier League side, would feel like a proactive move.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak excites many fans, but after scoring four goals against Bournemouth the truth is clear: attack is not the immediate problem. Defence wins titles and shapes Champions League campaigns. If Slot and FSG want to avoid a repeat of last season’s vulnerabilities, then Guehi should be prioritised before the window closes.

Ultimately, ruthlessness is what has carried Liverpool through eras of dominance. Slot has already shown he can be decisive, and in Guehi, there is an opportunity to strengthen a team that is already capable of scoring at will. For supporters, that balance is the key to another trophy-laden year.