Liverpool has been told that losing Ibrahima Konate wouldn't be the end of the world if Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi could be snapped up as a replacement.
According to the former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, effectively swapping Konate for Guehi — with both players out of contract in the summer of 2026 as things stand — would leave Arne Slot in a good position. Ideally, though, the Reds would be able to tie the Frenchman down to an extension as he gets set to enter his peak years.
"Konate has got a year left, so let’s not put ourselves in a sticky situation," Pennant said on talkSPORT. "It does worry me a bit, but if we’re going to go and get Guehi, it doesn’t worry me as much because that’s a good like-for-like replacement.
"He’s an England international. He’s proven in the Premier League, and he's won the FA Cup against Man City, so he can hold his own against the top players.
"So, if someone said ‘right, you’re going to lose Konate but you’re going to get Marc Guehi’, I’d say ‘alright, yeah, I’ll take that’. We’re looking at getting players in who we may need in the future."
Konate has spoken about his situation at Liverpool recently. "You know, I just want to say one thing: everything you saw on social media is completely fake," he told reporters at the end of the season.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool pose for a photograph with the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah pose with the Premier League trophy. (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"I didn’t even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer and I replied to them with something, that is it.
"The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end… I want this, all of it is completely fake. And even the big journalists said in November that I am very close to signing the deal. I was like: ‘Ah, they have more information than me?!’.
"It was not true at that moment, and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at that moment. I knew at one moment people would think I didn’t want to sign the contract, but I was never close to signing it. We will see what will happen."
Elsewhere, Darwin Nunez could also be heading for the exit door. The Uruguayan has interest from Napoli in Serie A, and in January, he could have moved to Saudi Arabia.
"He’s had three seasons now," Pennant added. "I think every single Liverpool fan, including myself, has been very, very patient with him and stuck by him season after season.
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"But we’re literally just waiting for that moment to click, waiting to go ‘OK, he’s found his feet, he’s comfortable now, he knows what the Premier League is about’ but it’s just never taken off.
"It’s not like he’ll automatically become this great player next season. I think we’ve seen what we’re going to get from Nunez whether it’s three seasons or six seasons. So, I think it’s better for him, for his mental health, his morale, his confidence to go elsewhere."
Liverpool.com says: Konate leaving would be a big blow. Guehi is a good player, but not as good as what Liverpool already has. He is homegrown, but should be viewed more as a third choice.
As for Nunez, everyone is seemingly on the same page. A move away from Anfield makes sense for all parties, as long as a big enough transfer fee is placed on the table by Napoli (or another suitor).