Liverpool is reportedly close to securing a new contract extension for centre-back Ibrahima Konate. The French international is highly valued at Anfield, with club officials eager for him to be a key figure in the long-term plans under manager Arne Slot.
Konate’s current deal runs until the summer of 2026, but sporting director Richard Hughes is determined to avoid a situation like those with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah, where all entered the final years of their contracts.
Konate is currently out of action due to a knee injury sustained from a tackle by Real Madrid’s Endrick in the Champions League. Arne Slot has confirmed that the defender will be sidelined “for a few weeks.”
Ibrahima Konate has been a crucial part of Liverpool’s strong defense in the 2024/25 season, with the team conceding only 11 goals in the Premier League so far. Arsenal and Tottenham are the only teams close to that record, each having conceded 14 goals.
At just 25 years old, it’s reassuring to see the club avoid another potentially uncomfortable contract dispute and secure one of football’s most promising defenders for the long term under manager Arne Slot.
The impact of Konate’s presence is evident, with Liverpool dropping points in the two games he missed, particularly highlighting the lack of Trent Alexander-Arnold as an outlet on the right side. However, the defense looks far more solid when Konate is alongside Virgil van Dijk.
So far this season, Konate has contributed to keeping 10 clean sheets in 18 games across all competitions. His dominance in aerial duels is especially impressive, with an aerial win percentage of 82.4%, far surpassing Van Dijk’s 73.8%.
