Liverpool Centre Back Concerns Intensify Amid Paul Joyce Update
Liverpool’s current transition has been debated heavily among supporters, pundits and even rival fans. On The Transfer Show for Anfield Index, host Dave Davis laid bare where frustration lingers. He described the conversation around transition as unavoidable, stating plainly that “there was always going to be some element of transition, something we would have to cope with.”
Yet while many issues were raised across the episode, none came through louder than the unresolved situation at centre back. Davis repeatedly circled back to it, insisting Liverpool cannot enter 2025 without decisive action.
Contract Uncertainty Around Ibrahima Konaté
Davis was blunt about Ibrahima Konaté. He cited reporting from David Ornstein, who wrote that “talks are active and ongoing with Konate, but nothing is close.” Davis added that Ornstein also said Konaté “earns more than double 70,000 a week already, and will want a really good contract to move into Liverpool’s top bracket.”
That wording caught attention. As Davis pointed out, “the fact that David Ornstein phrased it to move into Liverpool’s top bracket… we know what that top bracket means.” He even warned that “the reality right now points to one direction, doesn’t it? And it isn’t Ibou Konate signing again at Liverpool.”
Konaté’s form was also criticised. Davis admitted, “it’s been a distinctly average below average in some games start to the season” and added “he looks terrified with the ball right now, genuinely like it’s a hot potato.”
Lack of Centre Back Depth Worries Supporters
The bigger problem is competition. “Where’s Konate’s competition?” Davis asked. He outlined that “Joe Gomez… he’s only actually played 29 minutes in the Premier League this season.” Even more worrying, prospect Giovanni Leoni is sidelined after what Davis called “Leoni, heartbreaking for the kid.”
That leaves Virgil van Dijk, Konaté and loose options such as Wataru Endo, which Davis labelled “terrifying” at centre half.
This led to the quote that summed up the mood among Liverpool fans. Davis declared clearly, “you cannot be going into the second half of the season… saying we’re apparently wanting to challenge for two trophies and it’s Van Djk, Konate, Leoni… There’s got to be you think there’s got to be a center back arrive in January.”
Paul Joyce Statement Dampens Hopes
That expectation was then met with disappointment. Davis referred directly to Paul Joyce, saying “on the 7th of September… the headline couldn’t have been clearer. Liverpool will not try to sign Marc Guehi in January.”
He pointed out there was “no wiggle room in that headline,” and confirmed that David Ornstein backed it up, stating, “I’m not expecting Liverpool to go for a centre back in January as things stand.”
Those two reports — from Paul Joyce and David Ornstein — carry enormous weight among Liverpool supporters. Davis did not dispute them. Instead, he showed concern, admitting, “everything we’re hearing is about next summer. Nothing in January.”
Final Thought
Liverpool need stability at centre back. The host summed up the urgency better than any pundit could: “Liverpool have to get a centre back in. Liverpool at the moment have bought for the now… and if you are going to win now… you need a centre half in January.”
If both Paul Joyce and David Ornstein are correct that Liverpool do not plan to sign one, then hope rests not on transfers, but on fitness and fortune. That is a gamble few supporters are comfortable with.
