It’s been an incredibly difficult season for Liverpool and France centre half Ibrahima Konaté on and off the pitch. The centre half’s struggles to find form are what are most visible to fans, but off the pitch he has had to deal with contract uncertainty, the passing of teammate Diogo Jota, and then the passing of his father in January.
Despite the difficulties, the 26-year-old remains a top talent—there is a reason, after all, that before this season the expectation was that he would be joining Real Madrid in the summer. With his form dropping, though, that option soon disappeared and the chatter turned to a potential contract renewal that the player now says is close.
“For a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement,” Konaté told reporters following Sunday’s 2-1 derby victory over local rivals Everton. “I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible but we now are in a good way and 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 done, Richard [Hughes] will tell what I said in September and it’s going to make everyone quiet. I have a special relationship not just with the fans but with every person who works at the club. It’s like my family—such an amazing club, amazing family. It means so much to me.”
While there have perhaps still been moments in matches in recent months where Konaté hasn’t quite been at his absolute best, his form has certainly been trending in the right direction and it seems quite clear Liverpool will be a stronger side moving forward with him in it and without the need to replace yet another established player.
Now, as difficult as it has been at times in the 2025-26 campaign both on and off the pitch, the goal for Konaté and all of his teammates will be to find a way to continue to build on their recent improving form in the time left this season in order to ensure they finish in the top five and qualify for the Champions League next season.
“Legends are going to leave and after that it’s going to be our turn to lead,” he added. “I will need the help of everyone as well. I can’t do it alone. I know it’s been a bad season for the standards of Liverpool, and if we finish in the top four we still won’t be happy, but this is what we have for this season and we have to give our all.”
