Liverpool dodge £60m bullet after 'shaky' performance | OneFootball

Now that the 2026-27 summer transfer window is just around the corner, rumours are starting to emerge.

Liverpool have already been linked with several players with many of them costing a rather hefty chunk of change.

And, since Mohamed Salah is leaving at the end of the season, it's clear that plenty of change is afoot.

However, even though the Reds' attack will be one of their main transfer focuses this summer, their defence is also going to be in need of some TLC, especially since Ibrahima Konate's future is still undecided.

As mentioned, many defenders have been linked with Anfield switches over the last couple of months but, since they've already signed Jeremy Jacquet, it seems like they're taking their time before making another move.

This may seem a tad scary to fans but, in reality, it may have just saved them from wasting £60 million.

Nico Schlotterbeck put on a 'shaky' performance for Germany on Friday

Nico Schlotterbeck has been one of the most-linked defenders with Liverpool this season.

The centre-backs contract is set to expire next term which led many to believe that Borussia Dortmund would allow him to exit for a cut-rate fee.

However, that clearly isn't the case with the Bundesliga outfit still demanding around £60 million for the 26-year-old.

And, after the performance he put on for Germany in their 4-3 victory over Switzerland on Friday evening, it's clear that he isn't worth that much.

That is, especially since he's now more likely to sign an extension to his contract with Dortmund.

As per a report from Sport Bild, it was clear that he failed to impress with the German outfit giving him their lowest rating possible (5).

"Nico Schlotterbeck (26) looked shaky. BILD rating: 5. Nagelsmann (38) had publicly expressed his confidence in Schlotterbeck and Tah on Thursday," they wrote.

"As a result, Real Madrid star Antonio Rüdiger (33) is on the bench. Ironically, it was Schlotterbeck who conceded the early goal.

"Another build-up error by Schlotterbeck (41st minute). Then Widmer crosses from the right and Embolo powerfully beats Tah in the middle.

"Baum has no chance against the header. 1-2! The Swiss score again almost immediately. Rieder hits the crossbar (43rd minute)."

Liverpool must figure out what is happening with Ibrahima Konate

Although it's clear that Liverpool need some new defenders this season, the fact that Konate's future hasn't been decided yet is far from ideal.

The Frenchman has been dragging fans along since the end of last term with this saga echoing that of Trent Alexander-Arnold's.

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are the two teams most interested in the centre-back and, with both of them more or less guaranteed Champions League football, the Reds have a lot of work to do.

They're five points adrift of the top four spots and, since Schlotterbeck is seemingly unreliable, it's clear that he's not a great option for Liverpool to explore.

If Konate stays, Liverpool will probably only need one centre-back, especially since Giovanni Leoni will be like a new signing.

However, if the Frenchman leaves, they'll need at least two.

Despite this, spending around £60 million on Schlotterbeck seems like a massive risk at the moment, especially since he put in a shaky performance against Switzerland.