Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has made a big prediction about the future of Ibrahima Konate, following the signing of exciting centre-back Jeremy Jacquet.
The Reds confirmed the signing of Jacquet from Rennes on Monday evening, with the Frenchman revealing his excitement ahead of a summer move to Anfield.
“I am honoured to sign for Liverpool, one of the greatest football institutions in the world,” Jacquet said.
“It was also very important for me to finish my time in red and black on a high, at my boyhood club, the club of my heart. I’m approaching this second half of the season with the desire to experience some great moments with my teammates and the fans.”
Carragher believes the arrival of Jacquet at Liverpool could pave the way for Konate to leave on a free transfer, however, dropping an eight-word claim on Sky Sports: “That tells me Ibrahima Konate is not signing.”
The Reds legend also added: “I think Liverpool are going to go and buy a proper center-back in the summer, who I would imagine will play alongside Virgil van Dijk, and then you’ve got two really good young center-backs.
“They still need to play, but one of them – Giovanni Leoni – is coming back after an ACL, so it is not going to be an easy season for him next season. Van Dijk is going to be on the back of a World Cup, and he’s going to be 12 months older.
“So, if Konate doesn’t sign, they sign another player to replace Konate – a top-of-the-range center-back to play right now – and you’ve got these two as back-up. I still think they’ll get plenty of games.”
An in-form and consistent Konate must stay at Liverpool
Konate has had a poor season by his standards, although it remains to be seen how long his father’s health affected him for, following his death last month.
The 26-year-old was superb in the 4-1 win at home to Newcastle United last weekend, even completing the scoring at Anfield, and when he plays like that, he is one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
Konate has a big decision to make about his future, with a new Liverpool contract seemingly still a long way off, but staying put is the best outcome, with Arne Slot calling him “great” after the Newcastle game.
Jacquet is a hugely exciting signing, but he is also only 20 years of age, so expecting him to come straight in as a direct replacement for Konate would be unfair.