Ibrahima Konate has failed to find the favour of Liverpool supporters this season, but his France teammate Dayot Upemecano has been far more generous.
Liverpool have been a long off their best in every department this season and there are key weaknesses in attack compared with last season.
The Reds are now without Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, while Mohamed Salah has continued his decline in performances.
There are problems at the other end of the pitch too. Alisson Becker has been out with a hamstring injury and Ibrahima Konate[/tag] has struggled to find form.
Jamie Carragher recently claimed Liverpool would not fall apart if Konate departed, suggesting that he is not a difficult player to replace. The ex-Liverpool centre-back did have some kind words for Konate, but he is certain Virgil van Dijk is the better defender at the club.
Despite this, France international Dayot Upmecano has made a huge claim about both himself and Konate, as the pair represent their country in World Cup qualifying.
During a France press conference he said: “I think that I’m one of the best [in the world].
“But there are also some very good defenders, like William Saliba and Ibrahima Konaté, so I think that, above all, I am surrounded by the best both with France and at Bayern Munich.”
Liverpool supporters might not agree that Konate is one of the world’s best defenders on the basis of his displays this season. However, if he is able to get back to his best, few will be complaining if he puts pen to paper and signs a new contract.
One report recently stated that Liverpool are confident that Konate will sign a new contract, with the club willing to do what is necessary to retain the 26-year-old.
Even if Konate does re-commit his future to Liverpool, another centre-back could still be added to Arne Slot’s squad next summer.
Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg even claimed last month that Upamecano is on Liverpool’s radar. He clearly already has a good relationship with Konate and is a top defender with a good deal of experience to offer.
With van Dijk not getting any younger, it is highly likely that a new central defender will join Liverpool in the near future, whether Konate stays or not.
