Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konate has delivered a positive update on his contract situation at Anfield, with just five games remaining before the season finishes
Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konate is set to stay at Anfield(Image: Maciej Rogowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate has confirmed that he is “close” to signing a new Liverpool contract, with his existing deal set to expire in the summer as things stand.
Linked with a variety of moves elsewhere throughout the season, Konate has insisted that he always wanted to remain at Anfield. The Frenchman, 26, is set to put pen to paper on an extension that will keep him on Merseyside for what should be his prime years.
“My future? To be fair, there are many things people have said, but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement,” Konate confirmed to reporters at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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“I’m waiting to sort the contract, but when everything is sorted, you will have to ask Richard (Hughes) what I said to him in September, November and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.
“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. When he’s going to reply, you will see. I just wish that.”
Tying Konate down, with young center-back Giovanni Leoni recovering from injury and Jeremy Jacquet arriving in the summer, will mean that Liverpool’s defensive set-up looks well set.
Ibrahima Konate during PSG 2-0 Liverpool(Image: Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Captain Virgil van Dijk, who scored a 100th-minute winner against Everton on Sunday, has another 12 months left on his deal, and the Reds appear to be in good shape in that department for the future.
With Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah leaving, though, Liverpool will need players to step into leadership roles. Konate, given his age and experience, would be a prime candidate.
“I think I’m a leader already for this team, for the younger players, and for everyone to be fair,” Konate said. “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. I started this already and it’s a big responsibility.
“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.”
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool(Image: Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
This season has not gone the way that Liverpool wanted, but Konate is confident that things will get back on track soon — presumably a large reason why he has opted to extend his contract.
“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,” Konate said.
“If they win it, 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.
“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, and which kind of sacrifices I’ve done for this club.
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“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.
“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 has 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.”
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