Ibrahima Konate confirms he will stay at Liverpool and provides new contract update

Ibrahima Konate confirms he is on the cusp of a new Liverpool contract after months of speculation

Ibrahima Konate is set to sign a new long-term contract at Liverpool, ending months of speculation over his Anfield future.

Konate will be a free agent this summer as things stand and has been linked with a move away from Anfield for several months, with Real Madrid repeatedly named as a potential destination.

However, the centre-back revealed after Sunday's 2-1 win over Everton that he is on the cusp of extending his stay on Merseyside, claiming a move away was never part of his thinking having become a mainstay of the team since his 2021 switch from RB Leipzig.

“To be fair, there are many things people have said, but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are [now] close to an agreement," Konate explained. "I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible but we are in a good way.

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“For sure there is a big chance I’m here next season. This is what I always wanted. I’m waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask (sporting director) Richard Hughes what I said to him in September, November and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.

“Yes [it's taken a long time] but this is a negotiation. With Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah last season it was exactly the same, I think they signed the contract in April and this is maybe how the club want it.”

Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are set to walk away this summer after nine years at the club and captain Virgil van Dijk is heading into the final year of his own deal ahead of his 35th birthday in July, leading to talk that Liverpool need new leaders inside the dressing room going forward.

The Reds are set to welcome £60m centre-back Jeremy Jacquet this summer from Rennes, while teenage defender Giovanni Leoni is on the comeback trail after an ACL injury on his debut back in September and France international Konate, who turns 27 next month, says he is ready to step up and become a totem of a new era at Anfield.

He added: “I think I'm a leader already for this team, for the younger players, for the players of my generation, everyone to be fair. We know this is part of the football life. The legends are going to leave one day and after it's going to be our turn to take the lead, you know.

"I started [doing] this already since years ago and more in the last few months and it's a big responsibility. But we start and we play football to have this kind of chance and to make sure everything is fine for this amazing club. But I need the help of everyone as well. I cannot do everything alone.

“That's why I said, when everything's going to be sorted, I wish you had a discussion with Richard and asked what I said to him a few months ago before everyone talked about everything and when he’s going to reply, you will see. I just wish that."

It's been a difficult campaign for Konate, whose form has fluctuated during an inconsistent term for Liverpool, who have lost 17 times across all competitions, including 10 in the Premier League.

The defender also lost his father in January and while he admits it's been a tough few months both personally and professionally, Konate is upbeat about his and the club's long-term future.

“It was a tough year because many things happened and I think if everyone knew exactly what happened to me, they could understand many things, which kind of sacrifices I've done for this club," he added.

"I think it is great and one day I will take the time to think about it. Right now I am focused on the end of the season and making sure we are qualified for the Champions League next season and after we take the time to talk about this season because it's going to be a big part of my story.

"It's sad in one part, but it's very nice for my story when I explain that to my future kids and those people who support this club as well.

"I think it is great and one day I would take the time to think about it. Right now we focus on the end of the season and make sure we are qualified for the Champions League.

“It’s Liverpool. Yes, it’s been a bad season for the standards of Liverpool. If we finish in the top four, we won’t be happy, for sure, but this is what we can have for the rest of the season. This is part of the success.

"Liverpool as a club have had this kind of season already in the past and this is part of the success. For sure with this kind of a season, we have to give our all next season to make something good.

“First of all, we have to be focused on the end of the season and after for a few players, the World Cup is going to be a big challenge as well.

"And after my holiday - because it was a long and hard season for everyone I think - we can talk about everything. After pre-season, of course, because it's going to be very important.

“Yeah, [the last few weeks] were difficult. It's hard to talk about [the Champions League] and say it's difficult because we play against PSG which is the best team in Europe and I think everyone is agreeing if we won against PSG, maybe we had a big chance to win the Champions League last season.

"If they win it [this season], what we can say? I don't think we can say anything. It was difficult, but now we have a few games left and we have to make sure we secure our ticket for the Champions League next season.”

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