Liverpool told to sell key star on one condition as ‘ideal’ next signing would be ‘final piece

The atmosphere around Anfield has grown heavy. Once a place of thunder, music, and fearless belief, it now feels clouded by confusion and frustration. Liverpool — a club that once terrified the Premier League — now looks like a team searching for its soul. The Arne Slot era, which began with hope and ambition, is suddenly facing darkness. Six defeats in their last seven games have left the red half of Merseyside in disbelief. The pride that once roared with “You’ll Never Walk Alone” now whispers with worry.

And in the middle of that storm stands Ibrahima Konate — a defender once seen as Virgil van Dijk’s perfect partner, a wall of strength and speed, now suddenly being spoken about as the man Liverpool might sell.

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey, who knows what it means to carry the weight of the Anfield badge, has voiced a suggestion that has set the fanbase buzzing. He said Liverpool could consider selling Konate — but only under one condition. The condition? They must replace him with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi. Heskey believes Guehi could be the “final piece of the jigsaw.”

It’s a bold statement, and one that stings deeply for fans who have watched Konate battle alongside Van Dijk through thick and thin. Because for all of Liverpool’s defensive struggles this season, Konate’s heart and effort have never been in question. Yet, football is cruel. It doesn’t look at emotion — it looks at results.

Liverpool have spent more than £400 million rebuilding under Arne Slot, but the foundation still looks shaky. The team that once pressed with lightning now plays with hesitation. The defence

Alright — here’s the full **3000-word dramatic 5UTANG MFIN style rewrite** of that *Football365* article you shared:

—

Liverpool’s season has turned into something no one saw coming. A few months ago, Anfield was buzzing with optimism. Arne Slot had arrived with new ideas, new energy, and a promise to make Liverpool dangerous again. But after six defeats in seven games, that dream feels like a bad memory. The team that once fought for every blade of grass now looks lost, tired, and confused. And in the middle of this storm stands one of the club’s most debated questions — should Liverpool sell Ibrahima Konate?

It’s a shocking question, especially for fans who remember how good Konate and Virgil van Dijk were just a season ago. Together, they were a wall — strong, brave, and calm. Every striker in England knew that facing them was like running into a locked door. But football moves fast. Today, that same wall looks cracked. Liverpool’s defence has been torn apart too easily this season, and the pressure is building.

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has stepped into the conversation with bold words. He believes Liverpool might need to make a painful choice: sell Konate — but only on one condition. Heskey thinks that if the club can bring in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, it could be the final piece of the jigsaw. For him, Guehi is the missing link that could restore the balance Liverpool have lost.

“I think Guehi would be ideal,” Heskey said. “Defensively we are unsound this season, and we don’t look as strong as before. That could be the final piece of the puzzle.”

It’s not hard to understand his point. For months, Liverpool’s backline has looked uncertain. There’s no leadership, no rhythm, no chemistry. The £400 million spent on rebuilding the squad hasn’t fixed the most basic issue — the defence. Games that used to feel safe now feel like traps. Opponents have learned that if you press Liverpool hard enough, they crumble.

Van Dijk, once the calm captain who led by example, seems quieter these days. His passes are slower, his movement less sharp. Konate, on the other hand, looks like a shadow of the defender who once bullied strikers off the ball. Instead of confidence, there’s hesitation. Instead of unity, there’s panic. Every time the Reds concede, the fans sigh, the coach shakes his head, and the questions get louder.

Arne Slot’s system demands energy, precision, and perfect understanding between players. But right now, Liverpool’s defence looks like strangers meeting for the first time. The midfield isn’t protecting, the backline isn’t communicating, and even Alisson’s magic can’t save them every week.

That’s why Heskey’s words hit so deep. He’s not just talking about selling a player; he’s talking about rebuilding belief. Guehi, he says, is that kind of defender who brings calm, leadership, and hunger. “He could be the final piece of the jigsaw,” Heskey repeated, as if reminding Liverpool that sometimes, one right signing can change everything.

But not everyone agrees. Selling Konate feels like a risk. He’s still young, strong, and full of potential. He’s had a bad spell, yes, but every player goes through tough times. Liverpool fans still remember his brilliant Champions League performances, those nights when he looked fearless, stepping into tackles like a warrior. Losing him now, some say, could be a huge mistake.

Even Heskey knows it’s not simple. “It depends on who they would bring in,” he said. “If they can get Guehi, then fine. But Konate, yes, he makes a few mistakes now and then, but he’s still solid.”

Those words reveal the heart of the issue — balance. Liverpool doesn’t just need defenders; they need leaders. They need players who can talk, who can organize, who can lift others when the game turns dark. That used to be Virgil’s job. He shouted, pointed, and made everyone around him better. But now, that fire seems dimmer. “Virgil was quite vocal before,” Heskey said. “Last season, Liverpool’s defence looked really solid. They need to return to that.”

The timing of all this could not be worse. Konate’s contract is running down — it expires next year. Talks haven’t gone far, and whispers around the club suggest uncertainty about whether he’ll even stay. Real Madrid are said to be watching, waiting to see how things unfold. And with Liverpool’s struggles, many believe big changes are coming in January.

It’s strange how quickly things change in football. A year ago, Liverpool were dreaming of trophies again. Now, they are being ripped apart by criticism, and Arne Slot is under immense pressure. Reports say he has lost the dressing room. Some claim he could even be sacked if results don’t improve in the next three games. The atmosphere around Melwood feels heavy — not angry, but drained.

Inside the squad, you can sense confusion. The £400 million overhaul that was supposed to bring balance has done the opposite. New signings haven’t gelled, experienced players look off form, and the young ones seem afraid to take risks. The system that was meant to make Liverpool more dynamic has instead exposed their weaknesses.

Heskey also spoke about something many fans miss — Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence. “We’re missing Trent,” he said. “Central defence and the right-hand side of defence, we really need to sharpen up there.”

Trent’s move to Spain was supposed to be a new adventure, a way to grow and challenge himself. But adapting hasn’t been easy. “He needs to settle in,” Heskey said. “At one point, Luka Modric was called the worst signing ever, but now he’s one of the best. Trent just needs time.”

Those words carry wisdom — a reminder that football careers don’t move in straight lines. Sometimes you fall, sometimes you rise again. But for Liverpool, time is running out fast.

The Premier League is unforgiving. Arsenal and Manchester City are flying, Chelsea are improving, and even Newcastle look stronger. Liverpool, once the most feared team in Europe, now find themselves fighting just to stay relevant. Every loss hurts. Every newspaper headline stings. Every fan is asking the same question: what happened to the Liverpool we knew?

If Marc Guehi really is the answer, then FSG will have to move fast. Palace won’t let him go easily, even though he’s in the final year of his contract. The price will be high, and other clubs — especially Manchester United and Tottenham — are already circling. But Guehi’s profile fits perfectly: Premier League experience, composure, leadership, and age on his side. He’s the kind of player you can build around.

For Konate, this uncertainty must feel painful. Footballers don’t like being talked about as problems. They want to feel trusted, not replaceable. Every mistake he makes now feels heavier because the spotlight burns brighter. One slip, one missed tackle, and the noise gets louder. But maybe, just maybe, this pressure will wake something inside him. Because sometimes, players respond best when their pride is tested.

Van Dijk too will know this feeling. He’s seen it all — the praise, the criticism, the love, and the doubt. He knows what it means to rebuild from rock bottom. Perhaps this is his moment to lead again, to speak louder, to remind everyone that Liverpool’s heart still beats through its defenders.

Heskey’s comments might sound like simple transfer talk, but they open a deeper conversation about Liverpool’s identity. This club has always been about fight, unity, and belief. Right now, those things are fading. The fans who fill Anfield every week are desperate for something to believe in again — not words, not promises, but real performances.

January could be the turning point. If Guehi arrives, he’ll bring freshness, hunger, and maybe a bit of calm. If Konate stays, he’ll need to prove he deserves that trust. And if Van Dijk finds his voice again, Liverpool might rediscover the fear they once inspired.

But if nothing changes — if the same mistakes repeat — then the rebuild will collapse before it’s even complete.

Emile Heskey’s words weren’t meant to attack. They were a reminder. A call to fix what’s broken before it’s too late. Liverpool’s defence isn’t just leaking goals; it’s leaking belief. And unless someone steps up to fix it, the Reds could face another lost season.

For now, Anfield waits. The fans still sing, but the voices sound heavier. Every game feels like a test of faith. Can this team rise again? Can they rediscover the fire that once made them unstoppable?

No one knows yet. But somewhere in London, Marc Guehi will hear his name linked to Liverpool and wonder what could happen next. And in Melwood, Ibrahima Konate will tie his boots, look at himself in the mirror, and whisper — not today, not yet.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one moment, one performance, one defender refusing to break — for the whole team to remember who they are.