Ibrahima Konate has endured a mixed season in Liverpool’s backline, with manager Arne Slott providing an update on the Reds’ central defender’s future at Anfield.
Arne Slott gives his honest thoughts on Ibrahima Konate’s future (Image: Sky Sports)
Liverpool continue to negotiate a new contract with Ibrahima Konate’s agent, but manager Arne Slott has confirmed the defender’s desire to extend his career at Anfield, teasing: “Let’s see the end.”
Konate, 26, is entering the final months of the contract he signed when he joined the club from RB Leipzig in 2021. Liverpool have been in talks with the France international’s agent for more than 12 months.
Real Madrid have been touted as potential suitors to sign the 26-year-old on a free transfer at the end of the season. However, reports late last year claimed that La Liga bosses had told Reds officials they had no intention of signing another high-profile player from Anfield after signing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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Konate has had a patchy campaign, but has looked more confident of late.
He made his first appearance after missing three games following the death of his father in France, following his stunning performance to lead Liverpool to a crucial 1-0 win against Sunderland on Wednesday after a 4-1 win over Newcastle United late last month.
After the win against Sunderland, captain Virgil van Dijk said he hoped his defensive colleague would stay on beyond this season. Not long after the Liverpool captain was praised, Slott made it clear he wanted Konate in his squad again next season.
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The Dutchman said: “We are in negotiations with him, so that speaks to our wishes. Obviously we want him to stay, but the negotiations are ongoing so we’ll see what happens.”
“If we didn’t want him to stay, we wouldn’t negotiate.[Staying healthy]is just as good for Ibou as it is for Virgil. There is certainly an age difference and that can sometimes have an effect. Ibou has been in very good form lately.
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“He had a lot of good games at the beginning of the season, which also contributed to our goals conceded. His overall performance was good, but then he was judged differently because the little mistakes he made quickly led to goals.”
“But since I’ve been here, he’s had a very good partnership with Virgil. And like Virgil, he’s always been fit. Touch the wood. These two are essential for us, not only because of their quality, but also because we don’t have options at the back.”
Van Dijk was full of praise for Konate (Image: Izzy Poles – AMA, Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Slott has ignored concerns about Mohamed Salah’s goalscoring since his return from last month’s African Cup of Nations. The Egyptian, who has scored just six goals all season, has not found the back of the net in the Premier League since a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa on November 1.
But the Liverpool manager insists the forward, who scored 34 goals last season, is always capable of hitting the purple patch. “There could be multiple reasons for that,” Slott said.
“It could be that the opponents are more aware of his threat after last season’s great season, or that having had so many different right-backs behind him all season has affected that dynamic.
Slott also insisted Salah would be back to form quickly (Image: Paul ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
“There could be five or six other reasons. What I feel is that overall the team is creating as many chances as last season. The team has the most possession in the league.”
“Also, we see a lot of games where we can take forwards, not just Mo, into very promising positions, so it’s going to be a combination of factors.
“Even last season, I think Mo had a period where he scored seven points in four games, and then he didn’t score for five or six games. So let’s see where he is at the end of the season in terms of goals and assists.”
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