Liverpool now face a tense moment with Ibrahima Konate’s future because his name keeps resurfacing in transfer talk, and the noise has grown louder after the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
The defender endured a rough afternoon in that match, and fans voiced their frustration with sharp criticism that added extra weight to an already sensitive contract situation.
Konate has less than a year left on his deal, and the lack of progress in discussions places the club in a position where they must think carefully about the next steps, especially as uncertainty grows around his long-term fit.
Meanwhile, former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown explained to Football Insider that Liverpool could accept a sizeable offer if they line up a replacement, and his comments pushed the discussion forward again.
He suggested that the club may feel ready to cash in because they have held doubts for some time, and he pointed out that City targeted Konate’s side to force errors, which showed why internal concern persists.
Furthermore, this situation leaves Liverpool deciding whether to secure a fee now or risk a free exit next summer, and the club’s choice will shape the defensive rebuild Slot aims to guide.
> “_I think, if it comes to it, Liverpool will want to take the money._
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> _“They’ll want to make the most money possible out of him if it looks like he’ll be leaving either way, so a big offer in January could tempt them to sell._
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> _“The only issue with that is, who do they get in to replace him? They’ll want to do that first._
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> _“I’ve said for a while, they haven’t been completely happy with him despite the success they’ve had, so the chance to find somebody better is there._
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> _“They’re confident they can upgrade on him, because they’ve had concerns about him for a while, and they were on show again in that game against Man City._
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> _“There was a definite ploy by City to make Liverpool play to Konate and let him have the ball._
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> _“Then they would press, because he’s liable to make a mistake, and that’s all you need to know about how he is viewed in that Liverpool team._“
The France international has less than a year remaining on his contract
Liverpool face a difficult call with Konate, and the tension around his situation keeps rising because his recent outings show problems that the side can’t ignore any longer.
Moreover, he has slipped in his sense of positioning in the high line, and quick breaks keep dragging him out of shape, which leaves big pockets of space for sharp forwards to attack. Then the 26-year-old’s choices in one-on-one moments raise new concern, as he often looks a step behind agile players who change direction sharply. Against Manchester City, for instance, Jeremy Doku kept isolating the Frenchman and stretching him until the gaps became too clear to ignore.
Meanwhile, the club could gain from accepting a January fee, as his contract keeps running down and his form no longer offers the security that Liverpool needs. Selling him now lets Arne Slot act decisively, reinvest straight away, and address the recurring defensive problems.
Furthermore, Marc Guehi stays composed on the ball and has reliable league experience, while Dayot Upamecano brings a style Liverpool already know and strong physical traits, and Konstantinos Koulierakis gives a younger choice with good natural awareness. In our view, the Merseyside club should act early, bank the money, and rebuild the back line with a defender who suits where they want to take the team next.