Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has put forward a bold and unconventional solution to the defensive uncertainty building at Anfield, suggesting the Reds should explore a potential swap deal involving Ibrahima Konate and Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

With Virgil van Dijk approaching the latter stages of his career and question marks surrounding Konate’s consistency and long-term future, Liverpool are quietly entering a crucial transition period at centre-back.

Any decision made this summer could define the club’s defensive stability for the next five years.

Stan Collymore proposes Konate–Konsa swap deal

Speaking to BetWright (quotes via The Mirror), Collymore urged Liverpool’s recruitment team to prioritize homegrown talent that offers both reliability and value.

He identified Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi as the ideal candidates to refresh the Liverpool defense.

Collymore’s logic centers on the current financial climate and Konaté’s fluctuating form.

He noted that Aston Villa’s ongoing pressure to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) might force their hand if a substantial offer, or a player-plus-cash deal involving Konaté, were presented.

“Liverpool must identify a replacement for Ibrahima Konate if he leaves, especially because I don’t think Virgil van Dijk will be far behind him.

“I know there’s been talk of Marc Guehi, but...