Liverpool are understood to be closing in on a recent contract extension for centre-back Ibrahima Konate.
The French worldwide is very prized at Anfield, with membership employees eager for the footballer to be concerned within the long-term challenge underneath Arne Slot.
The 25-year-old’s present phrases are set to run out in the summertime of 2026. Nevertheless, it’s understood that sporting director Richard Hughes is eager to keep away from a repeat of the growing state of affairs that has allowed Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah to all enter the ultimate years of their contracts.
Konate is at present sidelined with a knee damage following a tough sort out from Actual Madrid starlet Endrick within the Champions League. Arne Slot has confirmed the Merseysiders will be without the No.5 ‘for a few weeks’.
Liverpool need Konate to be a part of a long-term challenge
Fabrizio Romano has now reported on X (previously Twitter) that Liverpool are ‘assured’ of sealing a brand new deal for the France star at Anfield.
🚨🔴 Talks over new deal for Ibrahima Konaté at Liverpool preserve continuing as deliberate, membership assured to get it sealed.#LFC administration and training employees proud of Ibrahima as they need him to be a part of long run challenge. pic.twitter.com/9jnyGH24vW
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 5, 2024
The footballer has been a key part of a generally robust defence in 2024/25 that has conceded solely 11 instances within the Premier League this time period. Solely Arsenal and Tottenham (14 every) come near that determine.
At solely 25 years of age, we’re more than pleased to see the membership keep away from one other probably uncomfortable contract saga and get considered one of soccer’s most fun defenders to decide to life underneath Slot.
The stats behind Ibrahima Konate’s success
It solely took two video games for us to drop factors with out Ibrahima Konate accessible to shore up the proper aspect of the defence.
Admittedly, the dearth of an out ball within the type of Trent Alexander-Arnold furthest on the proper flank of the backline was maybe probably the most urgent subject at St James Park.
Nonetheless, it could’t be denied that Liverpool look usually extra assured with their French colossus current alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Konate has helped our title challengers preserve 10 clear sheets in 18 video games (throughout all competitions) this time period.
Notably, he’s been extremely dominant within the air (which is saying one thing when our No.4 is his defensive accomplice). FBref have the centre-half down as having recorded an aerial duel win share of 82.4% this season. To place that into perspective, it’s considerably increased than Van Dijk’s 73.8%.
