Mohamed Salah made his return for Liverpool as the Reds beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
The Egypt international had been left out of Liverpool’s squad for their game against Inter Milan in the Champions League last week, following a shock interview during which he appeared to claim that his relationship with manager Arne Slot has deteriorated.
A brace from Hugo Ekitike earned the reigning Premier League champions a much-needed victory at Anfield, though, lifting Slot’s side up to sixth in the top flight standings.
Now, with Salah jetting off to represent Egypt at the African Cup of Nations, attention is turning away from the forward’s future.
Instead, it appears that the Reds are putting plans in place as a precaution in case one of their current stars leaves.
As per CaughtOffside, Liverpool have drawn up a shortlist of three players as they search for potential replacements for Ibrahima Konate.
The French centre-back is in the final year of his current contract at Anfield and the report suggests that there has so far been little sign that he will extend his stay on Merseyside.
Konate looks set to leave Liverpool next year (Photo: LaPresse/Alamy)
Konate, 26, joined Liverpool from German side RB Leipzig in 2021 and had established himself as one of the best central defenders in the English top flight.
This season, however, the France international has been in woeful form for Slot’s side, making a number of costly errors.
Konate has shown little interest in signing a new deal with Liverpool, and the Premier League champions have therefore identified three potential replacements.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi remains of interest to Liverpool, having come close to joining the Reds over the summer.
The England international is also in the final months of his current contract, and will therefore be available as a free agent next summer.
Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck is another name on Liverpool’s radar, the report suggests, with the German having established himself as a reliable centre-back in recent seasons.
The final defender on Liverpool’s shortlist is Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet, with the report suggesting that the Frenchman is currently the most likely candidate to replace his fellow countryman in Slot’s squad.