Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate produced a commanding display at Anfield during his side’s 1-0 win over Real Madrid.
For the French defender, this was more than just another game, as it was a potential audition in front of a club keen to sign him when his contract expires in 2026.
And since Real Madrid were watching closely, they would have left highly impressed.
Tasked with containing some of football’s most lethal attackers, namely, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham, Konate rose to the occasion with remarkable composure.
Throughout the 90 minutes, he looked calm and assured, using his physicality and reading of the game to nullify Madrid’s relentless forward line.
His aerial dominance, intelligent positioning, and ability to distribute long passes effectively stood out as key features of his performance.
Impressive performance under pressure
What made the night even more impressive for him was how little Real Madrid were able to exploit his weaker areas.
Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool player
Konate passed the test with flying colours. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Known to occasionally struggle when tracking back or playing out under pressure, Konate faced minimal issues this time.
His focus and discipline ensured Liverpool remained organised whenever Madrid attempted to break through.
Statistically, his contribution underlined just how solid he was. Konate registered three vital clearances, won both of his aerial duels, made two crucial interceptions, and maintained a respectable 77% passing accuracy from 39 touches.
Although Liverpool remain confident that Konate will commit his future to the club, the uncertainty surrounding his renewal leaves room for speculation.
Should the Frenchman decide to move on, Real Madrid appear to be the best-placed team to sign him in the summer of 2026.
As such, Real Madrid are also tracking Bayern Munich centre-back Dayot Upamecano, but as reported before, he is likely to renew his contract with the Bavarians instead.