Real Madrid snatching another player from Liverpool’s grasp will leave fans rather frustrated, although it may actually benefit them in the long run.
Premier League champions Liverpool will be more than satisfied with their performance this season, although preparations for the next campaign are already underway as they aim to retain the title.
However, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid almost complete, Los Blancos have taken another player away from their reach, with Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen set to leave for the Spanish capital.
Although he would have been an excellent addition and extra cover along the backline, losing out on his signature may not be the end of the world and here is how it may actually benefit Arne Slot’s men going forward.
Ibrahima Konate may extend his stay at Liverpool
Real Madrid have been pushing for a centre-back signing this summer for quite some time, with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate being on their shortlist as his contract expires in the summer of 2026.
Konate leaving as a free agent was always a worry, but with Madrid now getting their new centre-half, the Frenchman may be prompted to sign a new deal with his potential move to the Bernabeu now blocked.
Talks over a new contract have been ongoing for quite some time, although differences in salary expectations mean progression has been slow.
However, the 25-year-old has never expressed his desire to leave Anfield and there is positivity around the club over him committing his long-term future, with Liverpool hoping to avoid the mistake they made with the Alexander-Arnold saga.
A centre-back arrival could still happen for Slot’s team ahead of the new season, particularly as Joe Gomez and Jarrel Quansah are linked with moves away, but keeping Konate remains a high priority.
How Huijsen and Konate compare
As well potentially benefitting from Huijsen moving to Madrid by keeping hold of Konate, statistics show that Liverpool may be getting the better end of the deal anyway.
| 2024/25 Premier League Stats | Dean Huijsen | Ibrahima Konate |
| Matches Played | 30 | 29 |
| Goals | 3 | 1 |
| Clean Sheets | 7 | 11 |
| Tackles | 36 | 38 |
| Duels Won | 114 | 133 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 66 | 75 |
The Frenchman beats Huijsen on almost every metric, but particularly excels aerially where he is one of the best in the entire division.
The 20-year-old Real Madrid-bound defender may appear better when the ball is on the floor, but Virgil van Dijk is one of the best in the world with the ball at his feet anyway, making this a good balance for Liverpool at the back and creating a formidable partnership with Konate that strikers will fear.
Although missing out on a player with great potential, saving £50m and tying down Konate to a long-term deal may actually work out better in the long run for the Reds, meaning any frustrations over Huijsen’s move can be ignored.
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