Liverpool could well have another defender to choose from next season if the latest rumours are to be believed.
Ibrahima Konate is reportedly one of five players that the Reds are looking at to strengthen their back line when the transfer window opens in the summer.
Earlier claims suggested Liverpool are in “advanced talks” with RB Leipzig over a deal, but sources at the club are remaining tight-lipped on those suggestions.
But reports that Konate is one of a handful who the club's recruitment team are extensively assessing have not been dismissed by those inside the club.
Should Liverpool sign Konate, that would increase the quality and number of options at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal next season, but what would their strongest line-up be?
Regardless of whether or not Konate is signed, the vast majority of the team will remain largely the same, you would think.
Alisson Becker is going to be the goalkeeper, and Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will first first-choice full-backs.
In terms of centre-back, the expectation will be that Virgil van Dijk will go straight into the team next season should he recover from his knee injury.
That leaves the other centre-back spot, and should Konate arrive then it’s a difficult question to answer whether or not he would dislodge Joe Gomez or Joel Matip.
There is also the question over Ozan Kabak, and if Liverpool decide to pay Schalke the £18m needed to make his deal permanent in the summer.
Given Klopp has usually taken his time to give new signings a chance to settle into the team, we shouldn’t expect to see Konate come straight into the team.
However, after a few weeks you would like to think that Konate would work his way into the team to partner Van Dijk, should he actually sign, of course.
After then the midfield has been pretty complex this season, and will be even more so if Gini Wijnaldum departs on a free transfer.
With Fabinho hopefully back in the middle of the park, we should hopefully see him partnered alongside Thiago Alcantara more regularly, as well as captain Jordan Henderson.
However, there is also the likes of Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner to fight for places, but the aforementioned trio are likely to be first choice if they're all fit.
Then the front three is likely to remain unchanged, unless Liverpool go big with a big-money signing, or Diogo Jota gets his chance to be a more regular starter.
