Liverpool transfer decision made: Star is simply too old for them

Liverpool have made a decision ahead of the transfer window. One player is simply too old.

Liverpool will re-enter the transfer market this summer as they continue to find ways to reshape the squad. It's something of increased importance, too.

The club spent enormous amounts of money in 2025 as they tried to upgrade a title-winning group. That didn't work, however, and it means Liverpool simply need to get the next arrivals right. Not just to get good players but to try and get the best out of the previous arrivals.

But one area they're essentially forced to look is at centre-back. Ibrahima Konate's contract will expire this summer and even if he's to eventually renew, Liverpool have to act as though he won't.

Similarly, Joe Gomez may depart the club in the summer, having come close to an exit in August. Finding a new senior centre-back just feels vital.

Antonio Rudiger off the table

Football Insider reports that Liverpool have decided that Antonio Rudiger is off the table for them. The Real Madrid centre-back is out of contract in the summer.

Now, the implication here is that Liverpool have also looked at Rudiger. That’s not something we’ve seen anyone claim, nor something we’ve heard ourselves.

We’d also have been very surprised to learn that the Reds were after the German, given he is 33. And that’s apparently what rules him out as an option.

Again, that’s not a shock. At all. But it does confirm Liverpool’s thinking heading into the summer - they may want an experienced centre-back to potentially replace Konate but they’d still want him to be in and around his prime years.

Partnering Virgil van Dijk and Rudiger was never a true option, even if it would give them a frankly ridiculous wealth of experience back there.

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