Liverpool could replace both Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez without spending a penny next summer

For years, Liverpool fans have lived with the same familiar faces in the heart of defence. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, and later Ibrahima Konaté, have carried the responsibility of protecting the club’s goal through the most glorious of nights and the darkest of struggles. They have been there in Champions League finals, in title battles, in moments of despair and triumph. But football never stands still, and now the whispers are growing louder — Liverpool’s defensive unit is heading towards another big change, a rebuild that could reshape the backline for years to come.

What makes this story even more fascinating is that the club could replace not one, but two senior centre-backs next summer — and they might do it without spending a single penny in the transfer market. For a team as ambitious and carefully run as Liverpool, that is the kind of opportunity that cannot be ignored.

Joe Gomez, once the young prince of Liverpool’s defence, is no longer guaranteed a starting place. Ibrahima Konaté, the French powerhouse signed from RB Leipzig in 2021, has been a fan favourite but looks increasingly likely to depart Anfield at the end of the current campaign. Both men could be on their way out in 2026, leaving a huge hole at the back. But Liverpool, as always, are preparing. The names Marc Guehi and Dayot Upamecano are already being linked, and if the Reds can bring them in without paying transfer fees, it might go down as one of the smartest rebuilds in club history.

To understand how Liverpool got here, we must rewind a little. Konaté arrived four years ago, a towering, fast, and commanding defender who was meant to carry the torch into the future alongside Van Dijk. And to be fair, he has delivered in big games, showing why Liverpool invested in him. But with his contract situation unclear and interest from clubs abroad, his future looks uncertain. Fans still hope he signs an extension, but right now, the feeling around Anfield is that this may be his last season in red.

Then there is Joe Gomez. The English defender has been at Liverpool since 2015, surviving injuries, position changes, and countless battles for his place. He has played at right-back, left-back, and centre-back, always giving his all. But with competition fierce and opportunities shrinking, Gomez may be tempted to seek a fresh start when 2026 comes around. For a player still in his prime years, the idea of being a squad option instead of a starter may no longer be enough.

If both men go, it will feel like the end of an era. Yet, it could also be the start of something new. Liverpool have already shown they are not standing still. This summer, Giovanni Leoni arrived, a defender seen as part of the future. And last season, Van Dijk committed his future with a contract extension that ensures stability in the short term. But even with those steps, the looming departures of Konaté and Gomez would leave a gap. That is where Guehi and Upamecano enter the picture.

Marc Guehi has been admired by Liverpool for some time. The Crystal Palace defender has grown into one of the Premier League’s most reliable young centre-backs, earning England caps and praise for his composure, intelligence, and leadership. Liverpool even tried to bring him in before the summer window closed, only for Palace to pull out of negotiations at the last moment. But next summer, Guehi’s contract situation changes everything. If he does not renew, he will be available as a free agent. For Liverpool, the timing could not be more perfect.

Dayot Upamecano, meanwhile, is another fascinating option. The Bayern Munich star, still only 26, is approaching the final months of his deal in Germany. Reports suggest Liverpool are watching closely, keeping tabs on his situation. Like Konaté, he is physically dominant, aggressive, and built for the kind of high defensive line Arne Slot demands. If he too becomes available without a transfer fee, Liverpool could swoop. Imagine it: Konaté and Gomez leaving, only for Guehi and Upamecano to arrive, all without the club spending big in the market.

This is where the brilliance of Liverpool’s recruitment comes into play. The Reds are not just thinking about the present. They are thinking about succession, about evolution, about ensuring that when Van Dijk eventually leaves in 2027, the next generation is already in place. Guehi, Upamecano, and Leoni could form the foundation of Liverpool’s defence for the next five years. Add in the experience of Van Dijk in the meantime, and Slot would have both stability and progression.

Of course, there is risk. Nothing in football is guaranteed. Konaté could still stay. Gomez might yet fight his way back into favour. Upamecano might renew with Bayern. Palace could convince Guehi to sign a new deal. But Liverpool’s interest in these players shows foresight. They are not waiting for problems to arrive. They are planning ahead.

For fans, the thought of losing Konaté is bittersweet. He has become a cult hero, admired for his strength, his humour, and his connection with supporters. Joe Gomez too holds a special place in hearts, a reminder of Jurgen Klopp’s early days and the resilience of a player who fought through devastating injuries to play again. If both depart, there will be sadness. But football is ruthless, and Liverpool’s ambition demands constant renewal.

What makes the possible arrivals of Guehi and Upamecano so exciting is not just their quality, but what they represent. Guehi is young, English, and proven in the Premier League. He brings calmness and ball-playing ability. Upamecano, on the other hand, is already experienced at the highest level, a Champions League regular with Bayern and France. Together, they bring youth and maturity, potential and pedigree.

And most importantly, they could come without transfer fees. In an era where clubs are spending £100m on single defenders, Liverpool securing two elite options for free would be nothing short of a masterstroke. It would also free up funds for strengthening elsewhere — perhaps in midfield or attack, areas where investment might still be needed as Salah grows older and replacements are considered.

The evolution of Liverpool’s backline is one of the biggest stories to watch heading into 2026. Van Dijk will remain, but he cannot go on forever. Leoni will grow, but he needs guidance. If Guehi and Upamecano arrive, the transition will be smooth. If they don’t, Slot and the recruitment team will need alternatives. But the plan is clear: the defence is being rebuilt piece by piece, and the future is being secured long before the present expires.

Fans may look at Tuesday nights at Anfield, Champions League battles, or Premier League classics and think only of the now. But behind the scenes, Liverpool are already working for tomorrow. And tomorrow could mean saying goodbye to Konaté and Gomez while welcoming Guehi and Upamecano.

The question is not whether change is coming. The question is whether Liverpool can execute the perfect rebuild without spending a fortune. If they can, it will once again prove why the club is not just about history, but about smart, forward-thinking football decisions.

So next summer may not just be about transfers. It may be about transformation. Konaté and Gomez might leave, but Liverpool will not fall. They will rise again, with new names, new energy, and a backline ready to carry them into the next great era of success.Because at Liverpool, the story never ends. It only evolves.