Liverpool are preparing a major overhaul of their defence this summer, with new manager Andoni Iraola set to oversee a squad rebuild that includes finding a long-term successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, after Ibrahima Konate appeared set to follow his former teammate to Real Madrid.
According to Liverpool.com, Konate looks poised to complete a move to the Santiago Bernabeu after reportedly signing his contract, with Liverpool having already confirmed last Sunday that the French defender would depart upon the expiry of his deal this summer. Konate made 183 appearances across five seasons at Anfield, winning the Premier League and FA Cup among other honours, having joined from RB Leipzig. Despite hinting in mid-April that his future lay at Liverpool, he has now opted to reunite with Alexander-Arnold, who completed his own move to Madrid last summer in a £10 million deal for an early contract release.
Konate’s departure leaves centre-back as a clear priority for Iraola, who arrived at Anfield on a two-year deal following his exit from Bournemouth. The Spaniard already has reinforcements in place, with Jeremy Jacquet — signed from Rennes for £60 million ($83 million) in January as one of Slot’s final signings — set to be available for pre-season after recovering from shoulder surgery, alongside fellow young defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Jacquet, 20, is regarded as one of the most promising defenders in Europe and is seen as well suited to Iraola’s progressive, ball-playing demands.
However, with club captain Virgil van Dijk set to turn 35 before the start of the 2026-27 season, Liverpool are understood to be searching for an additional experienced centre-back. According to Planet Football, the club have been credited with interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, regarded as one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the world after averaging 6.7 accurate long passes per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga last season — a profile that fits Iraola’s preference for defenders who play forward quickly. Schlotterbeck recently signed a new contract at Dortmund, though it reportedly includes a release clause of around £50 million.
The right-back position created by Alexander-Arnold’s departure last summer remains an area Liverpool are determined to address properly. Planet Football noted that the club “got it wrong” in their initial attempt to fill the void, with Jeremie Frimpong failing to settle into the system under Slot. Iraola, who has previously worked with both Frimpong and left-back Milos Kerkez during his time at Bournemouth, is expected to take a different tactical approach that could better suit both players. Speaking before Kerkez faced his old club in January, Iraola praised his development, saying: “I think he has been growing a lot. In the last games, I think he has been phenomenal.” He added that both full-backs needed to “stop feeling that they’re replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson,” noting that as a unit, “we need to be stronger defensively.”
One name linked with the right-back role is Marco Palestra, recently named Serie A’s Defender of the Season after an impressive loan spell at Cagliari from Atalanta, with Liverpool among the clubs reported to be in the race for his signature, according to Planet Football.
Iraola’s appointment marks a significant tactical shift for Liverpool. Known for a “heavy metal” style built on intense pressing and rapid transitions following loss of possession, his approach represents a clear departure from the more conservative football implemented by Slot before his departure. With Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Konate all departing this summer, Anfield Watch reports that Iraola’s rebuild will need to balance reinforcing the defence with addressing the pace and durability required to sustain his demanding system across a full season.
