Liverpool-linked centre-back Marc Guehi is a better ball-playing defender than Ibrahima Konate, and the Reds should make a move for him before the transfer window shuts, a former Champions League finalist has told Sports Mole.
Guehi captained the Eagles to a 1-0 win over Fredrikstad in the first leg of their Conference League qualifying playoff round on Thursday night, but his future soon stole the headlines again amid rumoured interest from the Premier League champions.
The England international's contract is up at the end of the season, and Palace chairman Steve Parish has suggested that the Eagles may have to consider a sale in the final knockings of the window in order to avoid the prospect of a free transfer next summer.
In contrast, Oliver Glasner has insisted that Guehi must remain at the club at least until their two-legged tie with Fredrikstad concludes next week, leading to a potential disagreement between manager and chairman as Liverpool monitor developments.
Guehi would likely replace Konate if the Real Madrid-linked Frenchman also leaves on a free transfer in 2026, and Jermaine Pennant - a 2007 UCL finalist with the Reds - believes that the Palace man would be an upgrade, saying: “I'd hope they go for him this summer.
'Guehi is a better defender on the ball than Konate'
Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi on August 21, 2025
"If Marc Guehi comes this summer, that would be a great signing. I think he's actually a better defender than Konate, personally. Definitely on the ball; fewer mistakes than Konate.
“We've also signed Giovanni Leoni from Parma. I know he's only 18, but he looks like a good player. 6ft 5in, a giant, which is great. I think there's a little bit of frailties, but the frailties have not come from lack of players; I think it's more of not playing together with the full-backs.
“Once they start clicking and understanding Slot’s style and the team style, I think they'll be fine. But yes, I'd like to see another defender for sure come in, just in case one of the senior boys got injured.”
Including new signing Leoni, Liverpool have five senior centre-backs in the ranks, although Rhys Williams's future likely lies away from the club and Joe Gomez's fitness record leaves a lot to be desired.
Furthermore, Virgil van Dijk celebrates his 35th birthday next summer, and there has been no progress in attempts to tie Konate down to a new deal, making an exit at the end of the season increasingly likely.
Is Guehi a better defender than Konate? What the stats say
Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate pictured on October 23, 2024
Taking data from FBreffrom the 2024-25 Premier League season, the baseline ball-playing statistic actually favours Konate, who completed 90.2% of his passes compared to Guehi's 83.5%.
However, the Palace man is ever so slightly superior when it comes to long passes alone, registering a 55.5% success rate compared to Konate's 55%, as well as registering 44 shot-creating actions compared to Konate's 31.
Pennant's claim that Guehi makes fewer mistakes than his Liverpool counterpart just about holds up, though; the Palace captain made two errors leading to a shot in the 2024-25 Premier League season, whereas the former RB Leipzig defender made three such mistakes.
On the other hand, Konate won 65% of his tackles, while Guehi was slightly further down at 55.7%, and the France international also registered a better success rate when it came to dribblers challenged (71.4% to 66%).
Guehi showed more of a willingness to charge at the opposition, though - completing 12 successful take-ons from 15 attempts - although his aerial duel win rate of 54% is significantly down on Konate's 71.8%.
Jermaine Pennant was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of 7bet football betting.
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