Excellent' Liverpool chase defensive fix as Konsa eyes exit

Liverpool have identified a defensive shortfall after a disappointing campaign that left them fifth in the Premier League, a finish the club labelled catastrophic for a side expected to defend the title, and the willingness of Aston Villa centre‑back Ezri Konsa to depart Villa Park this summer offers a clear target.

Poor performances from most of the Reds' first‑team squad prompted fans to demand changes at Anfield. Supporters have been vocal about the need for a revamp of the starting eleven.

The summer window began positively with the arrivals of Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz. Since the Spaniard's arrival, Liverpool have not completed any further concrete signings.

Defence is a primary area Liverpool must upgrade this summer. Virgil van Dijk, now 35, and the departure of Ibrahima Konate have left the back‑line thin. Potential options such as Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni and Jacquet are limited by injury or lack of Premier League experience.

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Ezri Konsa, a 28‑year‑old centre‑back, offers a natural defensive solution and can also operate at right‑back, a versatility he displayed at the 2026 World Cup. His experience could offset the loss of senior figures like Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, providing the Reds with needed seniority.

Caught Offside reported that Arsenal also target Konsa and that he would be ‘interested’ in a move to the Emirates Stadium. The report added that Liverpool have been mentioned as potential suitors and that Konsa seems open to leaving Villa Park, even if he is not currently pushing for the move, while Villa retain control of his situation.

If Liverpool secure Konsa, they could address both centre‑back depth and the right‑back vacancy left by Trent Alexander‑Arnold’s departure and Conor Bradley’s injuries, reducing reliance on makeshift options like Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones.

For Aston Villa, losing a versatile defender who is open to a move would further weaken their defensive options ahead of the new season.