Liverpool players celebrate their team's first goal scored by Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 04, 2025 in Liverpool, England.placeholder image
Liverpool players celebrate their team's first goal scored by Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 04, 2025 in Liverpool, England. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool were worthy winners against Real Madrid with one player having his best game of the season.
Good players don’t become bad players overnight even if Liverpool could have done with Ibrahima Konate committing his future to the club.
Against Real Madrid, the France international made a real statement of intent as to what level he is really capable of playing at and Arne Slot will be hoping that it is the first of many over the remainder of the season even if he doesn’t put pen to paper on a new contract.
On paper, it was the most balanced Liverpool starting XI of the season so far. There were no square pegs in round holes with a mixture of experience in defence and a familiarity in midfield. What this also provided was the opportunity for Florian Wirtz to shine on the biggest stage.
Ibrahima Konate produces best Liverpool display
After Giovanni Leoni’s devastating injury on his first start for Liverpool and the collapse of Marc Guehi’s transfer, there is a shortage of options at centre-half with Virgil van Dijk and Konate being the obvious first-choice pairing. The defence has been one of a number of major issues for Arne Slot this season but after two clean sheets in two games and an 8/10 performance against Real Madrid, it looks like the early season struggles are over.
What benefitted Konate even more was having the wise, old head of the rejuvenated Andy Robertson back in the defence which meant that the shape across the back four was stronger. Not only would the Scotland captain be a constant voice, but he won his individual battles which meant that Konate and Van Dijk could concentrate on theirs. It was an inspired decision by Slot and one that he should have learned from. It worked against one of the best teams in Europe, there is no reason why it shouldn’t work in the Premier League too.
Nobody had fewer touches than Konate as he kept a watchful eye on both Vinicius Jnr and Kylian Mbappe on his side of the pitch. Konate made four passes into the final third, with eight ball recoveries, two interceptions and six clearances. He was also only dribbled past once against a formidable attack with the sort of display that had the Anfield faithful licking their lips about a potential comeback in the Premier League title race.
What is the latest on Konate’s future?
Speculation continues to surround Konate’s future and Fabrizio Romano has given an update on his YouTube channel with a possible reason for the 26-year old’s performance being that he might just have been trying to impress his next manager: “Don’t forget about Ibrahima Konate who is out of contract in summer 2026 who is in the list of Real Madrid.
“Ibrahim Konate remains a player in the list of Real Madrid. So, if Konate will go on a free next summer, Real Madrid will be very attentive to the situation. For sure he’s one of the players they are monitoring. On the other side, Liverpool are still talking with his agents. So, Liverpool at this stage have the opportunity to still talk to the player but Konate has the opportunity to decide whether he wants to stay in Liverpool or try a new chapter.
“There is a lot of interest in Konate. Real Madrid are not the only ones. So for sure on a free would be a big opportunity but this depends on the player. Konate has the opportunity to decide.
“The interest from Real Madrid is genuine also because one of the targets they had at Real Madrid was William Saliba, another French excellent defender, but Saliba decided to stay at Arsenal and sign new contract at the club. And so now for Konate, it is an opportunity for the player to decide whether he wants to continue Liverpool or go and try a new chapter.”
Liverpool’s performance against Real Madrid might just persuade Konate that he is in the right place after all.
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