Guehi not enough? Collymore pushes surprise defender to Liverpool | OneFootball

Why Liverpool Should Widen Their Defensive Search Beyond Guehi

Guehi chase signals intent but not certainty

Liverpool’s defensive evolution is taking shape this summer, but it is no secret that the club remains alert to long-term uncertainty. With Ibrahima Konate having already signalled his intention to leave in 2026, and Virgil van Dijk now on the other side of 30, Anfield’s recruitment department knows it cannot afford to misstep.

Marc Guehi has emerged as the prime target. The Crystal Palace defender, out of contract next summer, offers a combination of Premier League pedigree and versatility. As Stan Collymore put it in CaughtOffside, “the beauty with Guehi is that he comes in and he is a versatile option across the defence”.

Yet there’s an unmistakable sense of hedging bets in the background. Guehi may be the headline name, but Liverpool’s gaze appears broader than it initially seems.

Konsa overlooked in plain sight?

Enter Ezri Konsa. The Aston Villa defender is not at the centre of transfer gossip columns, but perhaps he should be. Under Unai Emery, Konsa has evolved into a model of consistency.

Photo: IMAGO

Collymore’s suggestion that Liverpool should make a move for Konsa is more than just idle nostalgia from a former Red. “I am surprised that a team like Liverpool aren’t looking at Ezri Konsa in this situation, given Aston Villa’s PSR woes,” he wrote. Konsa has made 238 appearances for Villa, and with a contract running until 2028, any approach would need to be decisive. Yet in terms of profile, experience and cost-efficiency, he may represent value in a market short on it.

Konate departure reshapes priorities

Konate’s looming departure adds an unmistakable urgency to Liverpool’s plans. While the French defender has not yet left, the writing is on the wall. “If Konate doesn’t want to sign and commit to what is a very healthy Liverpool wage structure, then let him go,” Collymore said. “It would pinch a little bit. But that’s all it would do.”

That line says much about how Konate is viewed at Anfield: valued, certainly, but not irreplaceable. Guehi might not be a one-for-one substitute, but he’s dependable and adaptable. Konsa, on the other hand, offers a different profile, potentially one that could balance Liverpool’s back line in a post-Konate era.

Wirtz reaction exposes cultural tension

Away from defence, Liverpool’s announcement of Florian Wirtz’s arrival has stirred unexpected criticism. Collymore again did not hold back: “I counted 37 tweets on Liverpool in relation to Florian Wirtz on the day that he signed.” His concern? The fuss surrounding the German playmaker runs counter to Liverpool’s understated ethos. “Their social media and marketing department have essentially put him under even more pressure to perform,” he said.

Collymore warned that such hype could spark “in-house tensions” and that “Wirtz himself probably didn’t want this to happen”. Whether or not that prediction holds, it is a reminder that success at Liverpool has traditionally been rooted in collective strength over individual acclaim.

Conclusion: smart recruitment requires wider lens

Guehi remains a strong option for Liverpool and a sensible one at that. But if Konate is indeed heading for the exit, the recruitment lens must widen. Konsa might not carry the headlines, but in the careful recalibration of Liverpool’s defence, his name deserves to be on the shortlist.