**Liverpool are taking a massive risk if Paul Gorst’s sources are correct as the club plans _not_ to replace Ibrahima Konate this summer.**
If true, this won’t be the first time Liverpool have sold or released a player without signing a replacement, leading to bigger problems down the line.
Konate will join Real Madrid for free on July 1 after reaching an agreement with Los Blancos. The 26-year-old will earn [€96 million (£82m) gross across his four-year deal in Madrid](https://live4liverpool.com/the-insane-numbers-behind-konates-real-madrid-contract-perfectly-explain-why-liverpool-arent-renewing-him/).
His [£150,000 per week Liverpool contract](https://www.capology.com/player/ibrahima-konate-36305/) will officially expire on 30 June. Although the French defender was well below his best for the Reds last season, the loss of his friend in Diogo Jota and then his father more than explains the drop in form.
Liverpool were within their rights to deny him the £300,000+ per week salary demands he was seeking in contract talks, but suggestions that FSg aren’t actively seeking a replacement should come as a major red flag to fans.
Konate will join Real Madrid for free on July 1.
Liverpool are taking a ‘huge risk’ after losing Konate for free to Real Madrid
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Speaking to Liverpool fans in a Q&A for the Liverpool ECHO, long-serving journalist Paul Gorst discussed the problematic stance the club is reportedly taking on their centre-back recruitment: they are being reactive rather than proactive in their search for new central defenders.
He replied: _“I agree. I think Liverpool are taking a huge risk if they opt not to actively replace Ibrahima Konate, who becomes a free agent from July 1._
_“The plan, according to the conversations I’ve had, is for Jacquet and Leoni to both be given chances, but I suspect the club will remain poised to act if they feel a more senior defender is available at a reasonable price._
_“That leaves the club at the mercy of market developments, however. I’d rather see them proactively and aggressively target a first-choice centre-half this summer.”_
This won’t be the first time Liverpool neglect to replace a vital player leading to bigger problems
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When Fabinho left Liverpool in 2022, they didn’t replace him and have regressed defensively since.
When Luis Diaz was sold in 2025, he wasn’t replaced and Liverpool struggled in attack while he scored 26 and assisted 23 for Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal while pushing PSG all the way in their Champions League semi-final tie.
Jarell Quansah joined Bayer Leverkusen for £35m last season, and he wasn’t replaced before the Reds lost 20 games in all competitions with the worst defensive form for over a decade.
Releasing Konate and not replacing him is a cardinal sin for FSG.