Credit: Imago

Rahul Lakhani

Fri 2 May 2025 14:35, UK

Ibrahima Konaté has established himself as a key player for Liverpool, but his time at Anfield could come to a surprise end this summer.

Liverpool were handed a boost when Virgil van Dijk signed a new contract to keep him on Merseyside for another two years, but the same cannot be said of his centre-back partner.

Konaté has impressed alongside van Dijk this season. However, the centre-back’s questionable injury record is a concern for Arne Slot, who is set to target another defender in the summer transfer window.

An update has now emerged over Konaté’s contractual situation at Anfield, and it is not pleasant reading for Liverpool fans.

Konaté in contract standoff with Liverpool

Konaté’s contract at Anfield runs out in the summer of 2026, meaning that a decision will need to be made very soon over his future.

The 25-year-old is now one of the best central defenders in the Premier League, and Liverpool would certainly benefit if he were to sign a new contract. However, that doesn’t appear to be on the cards.

As reported by The Athletic (2 May), an agreement between Konaté and Liverpool is “some way off,” with talks between the two parties “dragging on”.

Therefore, should this impasse continue, the Reds will have a big decision to make.

Liverpool to repeat risky contract situation with Konaté

If Liverpool are to avoid another situation like that of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to leave on a free transfer, they will either need to extend or sell Konaté this summer.

However, Liverpool may repeat what they did with van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who entered this season in the final year of their deals.

After months of uncertainty, both players put pen to paper on new contracts, and Liverpool may be confident that they will reach the same outcome with Konaté should his situation drag on longer.

Konaté joined Liverpool in the summer of 2021 from RB Leipzig, and the Frenchman has made 129 appearances in nearly four years on Merseyside.