Up Close: Witness the Showdown of Tomorrow’s Champions!

Liverpool starter now likely to join Real Madrid Liverpool are facing a centre-back reshuffle at the end of the current season. For the 2026/27 campaign we will see both Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni integrated into the first-team squad. And other promising young signings - such as Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe - could also be given a chance.

The Premier League champions are likely to see both Joe Gomez and club captain Virgil van Dijk LEAVE at the end of next season with their contracts expiring in 2027. It means a revamp is necessary as Richard Hughes and Arne Slot plan for the seasons ahead. And don’t forget Ibrahima Konate - who looks like he will be leaving Anfield at the end of the current season.

Konate, 26, signed for the Reds back in 2021 for £35m from RB Leipzig - winning the title in tandem with Van Dijk last term. But a long contract standoff - stretching back over 18 months - means the France international is close to leaving. Konate set to leave The player’s entourage were reported to be holding out for a pay deal worth £200k per week and right now there are no indications that Richard Hughes is prepared to go that high.

Accordingly Konate is free to speak to other interested clubs about a lucrative free transfer. Paris Saint-Germain have an interest in bringing Konate back to his hometown but more likely is a move to Real Madrid. Despite distancing themselves from a deal for Konate earlier this season it now looks like their interest has strongly re-emerged.