Former Liverpool forward Stan Collymore has offered a striking and somewhat unexpected idea as questions continue to grow around Liverpool’s defensive future, proposing that the club should seriously consider a swap deal involving Ibrahima Konaté and Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa.
With Virgil van Dijk moving into the later phase of his career and ongoing doubts about Konaté’s consistency, Liverpool appear to be edging toward an important period of change at the heart of their defence. Decisions taken in the upcoming transfer window could shape the Reds’ back line for many years, making this summer particularly significant for the club’s long-term planning.
Collymore, speaking to BetWright in comments later reported by The Mirror, believes Liverpool should place greater emphasis on recruiting proven, homegrown Premier League defenders who can offer stability and value. In his view, Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa and Marc Guéhi of Crystal Palace stand out as two of the most suitable options available to refresh Liverpool’s defence.
The former striker’s argument is largely influenced by the current financial landscape in English football, as well as Konaté’s uneven performances over the past season. Collymore pointed out that Aston Villa are currently navigating Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) challenges, which could make them more open to selling a key asset if the right proposal arrives.
He suggested that a player-plus-cash deal involving Konaté might be an attractive solution for Villa if Liverpool were willing to explore that route.
Collymore stressed that Liverpool must be proactive in planning for life beyond Konaté if he were to depart, especially given his belief that Van Dijk may not be far behind in leaving the club.
While Marc Guéhi has frequently been linked with a move to Anfield, Collymore feels Konsa deserves equal consideration, noting that the Villa defender is widely expected to be a regular starter for England alongside John Stones at the next World Cup.
According to Collymore, both Konsa and Guéhi represent smart investments who could deliver long-term value. He added that Konaté’s future largely depends on his form. If the French defender returns to his best level, he could still attract interest from elite Champions League clubs.
However, if his performances remain inconsistent, there is no certainty that a top-tier side would move for him, potentially opening the door for clubs like Aston Villa or Newcastle to negotiate a deal with Liverpool.
When comparing the two defenders, Konaté and Konsa offer very different attributes. Konaté is renowned for his physical strength, pace, and ability in aerial duels, but his reliability has been questioned at times.
Konsa, on the other hand, has developed into one of the Premier League’s most calm and tactically intelligent defenders, earning praise for his positioning and decision-making.
Despite Collymore’s proposal, Liverpool’s long-term plans may be heading in another direction. Reports suggest Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven is interested in a high-profile move to Anfield this summer.
The Dutch international has long been admired by Liverpool and is seen by many as the perfect long-term successor to Van Dijk. Should Van de Ven become available, Liverpool are expected to pursue him aggressively as they look to secure the future of their defence.
