Liverpool don’t need to sign a centre-back — they need multiple, and one could be gettable after a collapse in negotiations at his current club.
The situation at the back is untenable.
Liverpool have just one recognised centre-back available to take on Qarabag, with Giovanni Leoni, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate ruled out.
Who starts alongside Van Dijk against Qarabag?
Endo? Gravenberch? One of the youngsters? 👀
Liverpool’s centre-back issues worsen 😬
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It’s just the latest sign that the squad is in need of bolstering, especially at the back.
With that in mind, Liverpool’s attention will surely be grabbed by what Florian Plettenberg just said about one of Europe’s top centre-backs.
Florian Plettenberg says ‘insane’ Dayot Upamecano situation opens door for Liverpool
Dayot Upamecano has been on Liverpool’s radar for at least five years.
The Bayern Munich star is one of Europe’s most physically imposing defenders and a player who is always mooted for a big-money transfer, wherever he is. Well, he’ll be available for free this summer if things carry on like this.
Liverpool’s interest was dealt a blow earlier this month when reports claimed Upamecano was close to agreement with Bayern over a new deal. But now, the prospect of the Frenchman moving has gathered steam again.
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Florian Plettenberg sounded almost exasperated at the stall in contract talks when speaking to Sky Sports Germany.
He remarked: “I almost don’t even want to talk about it anymore. Honestly, the topic annoys me. If Bayern blow up the deal after the deadline day and he still hasn’t agreed by then, he has no reason to be surprised. I think it’s outrageous. To be completely honest, the numbers on the table are insane.
“And you know my opinion – I consider him a very good central defender, but I wouldn’t rank him among the world’s best because, for me, he’s simply not consistently performing at the top level. That’s just my opinion.
“That’s why the numbers Bayern are reportedly willing to pay – including the release clause that would likely kick in from summer 2027 – already seem crazy to me.”
Plettenberg isn’t convinced by Upamecano’s quality, but he is in the minority in that regard.
Kylian Mbappe told BEIN Sports that the Bayern star is ‘one of the best in the world’ and a ‘dominant’ force to be reckoned with.
As for why Upamecano is yet to agree to an extension, Plettenberg thinks he could be holding out for an approach from another top European club, mentioning Liverpool by name.
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
He continues: “Why he’s taking so long, I can’t answer. Possibly the same model as Schlotterbeck, where everyone is gambling, waiting to see what happens, when the first domino falls – maybe with Liverpool, maybe at Real Madrid. Honestly, I can’t explain it any other way.”
The France international does struggle with consistency sometimes, but he is a top, top defender who would go some way towards reestablishing the Reds as a defensively solid outfit.
Ibrahima Konate might not be pleased by Dayot Upamecano to Liverpool
Liverpool have a similar situation with Ibrahima Konate.
Konate is yet to extend his Liverpool contract, and it could be for the same reasons.
How do you think Liverpool should handle the contract situations of Konate, Van Dijk, and Gomez?
Van Dijk (2027), Gomez (2027) and Konate (2026) are all out of contract soon!
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The potential arrival might not sit too well with Konate, who has been deprived of a starring role under Didier Deschamps because of Upamecano.
If Liverpool can convince Bayern’s star centre-back to sign for free next summer, it’s hard to see how the two coexist. Not only are they similar profiles, but they are also both looking for wages to rival the highest-paid defenders in Europe.
It might be a case of one or the other.
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