Ibrahima Konate left Liverpool to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer and former Reds defender Glen Johnson has questioned the decision to let the Frenchman go for nothing
Ian Doyle Chief Liverpool FC Correspondent and Myriam Toua
14:18, 19 Jul 2026Updated 14:21, 19 Jul 2026
Andoni Iraola is the new Liverpool manager
Andoni Iraola is the new Liverpool manager(Image: Andrew Powell, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool have faced scrutiny over the "crazy business" that resulted in Ibrahima Konaté departing the club without a fee this summer - though Andoni Iraola has received backing to transform the Reds into title challengers this campaign.
Konaté seemed poised to commit to fresh terms towards the conclusion of last season, only to eventually choose to leave as a free agent and join Real Madrid instead.
Liverpool had already strengthened their defensive option s with the £60million acquisition of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes and remained optimistic that Konaté, who arrived for £36m from RB Leipzig five years earlier and registered 183 appearances, would remain at Anfield.
Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson remains adamant the departure of the France international will prove costly this season.
"First of all, a huge miss just as an individual," Johnson commented. "I think it's a crazy business deal to let him walk out for free.", reports the Liverpool Echo.
"But they have a certain way of doing business, so I think he'd be hard to replace even if you sold him for £80million.
Konate will be joining Real Madrid
Konate will be joining Real Madrid(Image: CHANDAN KHANNA, AFP via Getty Images)
"To be fair to Liverpool, they usually get it right more times than they don't. I'm sure everyone's replaceable, but I just think he'll be a big miss considering you got no money for him and he was one of your key players."
Liverpool continue their pursuit of additional reinforcements during this transfer window, with a new right winger identified as a priority.
Johnson continued: "We all know how Liverpool do their business with the transfers with the data and the numbers and certain statistics. So it'd be hard to pick one that they would go for.
Glen Johnson thinks Liverpool will pay for Konate's departure
Glen Johnson thinks Liverpool will pay for Konate's departure(Image: Andrew Powell, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"But with the names that have been mentioned, like (Bradley) Barcola - I've been a big fan of him for a long time.
"To be honest, I think if they can get their players back fit, you're going to have a couple of players back in the game that were not around last season."
Speaking to WhoScored's The State of Play podcast, Johnson believes the managerial change with Iraola at the helm can help Liverpool close the gap on the Premier League's top sides - assuming they enjoy a fruitful summer.
Johnson believes Andoni Iraola could help Liverpool win the League
Johnson believes Andoni Iraola could help Liverpool win the League(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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"I think if they have a good pre-season and get everyone fit, it's not a matter of just needing one key signing," he said.
"I think they have a good squad. They just need a good pre-season to start well, and I think their squad's good enough to compete. Win the league?
"I definitely think they can. Obviously they've got a big gap to bridge, but if they can have a pre-season with the new manager, with the new excitement around the club, I think he's really going to get this team rolling and they can bridge the gap and and be competitive."