Reliable journalist Lewis Steele has now provided a new update on Ibrahima Konate’s Liverpool future, revealing the Reds’ stance on him.
The Frenchman has been one of Liverpool’s most disappointing performers this season, not coming close to replicating his form from previous years.
There were some who felt that continued links Konate and Real Madrid were acting as a distraction, but the Spanish giants have now reportedly ended their interest in him.
The 26-year-old’s current Liverpool deal runs until the end of this season, so both the Reds and the player himself have big decisions to make.
Now, The Daily Mail‘s Steele claims that Konate is still a player valued by the Premier League champions, with a contract extension the desired outcome if an agreement can be reached.
He says they “remain committed” to him, with the Merseysiders “still in active talks” with his representatives “to try to sort out his future – and will do so if a deal can be struck.”
Far more consistency needed from Konate at Liverpool
Konate has been an impressive player overall for Liverpool, with Arne Slot speaking of his admiration for his willingness to learn last year:
“I was impressed by how much he wants to learn. So every time we are on the pitch, or having individual clips or team meetings he is so focused on trying to understand what we want from him. All the guys are quite positive in that but, in my opinion, he stands out in trying to learn the things that we are trying to hand over to it.”
That said, Konate now needs to find more consistency in his game, making the jump from being a promising centre-back to one of the best in the Premier League.
He should arguably feel fortunate that Liverpool still rate him so highly, given his performances of late, and he now needs to show that he is worthy of leading the Reds’ defence long after Virgil van Dijk has gone.
Either way, at least one centre-back will be needed next summer, if not two, with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi still a leading option in that area.
