Liverpool’s lack of centre-back depth is evident currently, so Ibrahima Konate avoiding suspension is vital for the Reds in their next game.
The Premier League champions have struggled defensively this season, conceding more set-piece goals (12) than any other team, including one in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at home to Wolves.
Failure to sign Marc Guehi in the summer was a big blow, while highly-rated youngster Giovanni Leoni is out for the campaign with a torn ACL.
It has meant Konate and Virgil van Dijk have simply had to stay fit in order to prevent Liverpool’s season from becoming even more of a struggle.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 27, 2025: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté (L)celebrates with Jeremie Frimpong who assisted the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Konate has been improved of late, following a woeful spell of form earlier in the campaign, but he is only one yellow card away from picking up a one-match ban.
If the Frenchman avoids a booking at home to Leeds on New Year’s Day, however, the five-card threshold resets, meaning he will avoid a suspension for the trip to Fulham on January 4.
Konate would then have until Matchweek 32 to avoid reaching 10 yellow cards, which would trigger a two-match ban.
Will Liverpool sign a new centre-back in January?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 29, 2025: Crystal Palace's captain Marc Guéhi during the Football League Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. Palace won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Konate is in a precarious situation, but he will hopefully be savvy enough to ensure that he gets through the Leeds game unscathed.
But this shows the need for Liverpool to sign another centre-back in the January transfer window, considering there are only two fit options there currently.
It seems unlikely that Guehi will be available, though, with the England defender more likely to leave Crystal Palace on a free transfer at the end of the season.
While he may be the No. 1 option for the Reds, they cannot afford to be picky and must look at alternative targets next month, potentially signing Guehi in the summer, too.
The likes of Bayern Munich‘s Dayot Upamecano and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck are among those to have been loosely linked with moves to Liverpool.
Granted, January is unlikely to see as many top-quality options become available, but the Reds’ recruitment team must find a solution.
Failure to sign a central defender would be negligent, especially as Konate is known for his injury-prone nature and Van Dijk is now 34 years of age.