Vladimir Smicer has told Ibrahima Konate to decide on his Liverpool future as soon as possible, as the defender continues to struggle.
Konate is enduring a nightmare season at Anfield, which continued during the 4-1 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday. The defender was at fault for Couhaib Driouech's goal in the 73rd minute, which all but ended Liverpool's hopes of a comeback.
And it's not the first time Konate has struggled this season, with Jamie Carragher among those to criticize the 26-year-old. Konate's form coincides with his contractual situation; the player has just over seven months remaining on his existing deal at Anfield.
Liverpool is keen on retaining Konate, despite his poor current form. The former RB Leipzig star has been a key player for the Reds since he arrived during the summer of 2021, helping them win several trophies, including the Premier League title last season.
Yet Konate will be free to negotiate with overseas clubs from January, and Real Madrid is believed to be interested in signing him. Smicer, who won the Champions League in 2005, wants to see Konate resolve his future - one way or another.
"We've seen this last season with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah," Smicer told BOYLE Sports, who offer Premier League betting. "Two players stayed, one went."
Konate is out of contract in the summer
Konate is out of contract in the summer (Image: Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, and Salah were all in the exact same contractual situation as Konate this time last year, with Van Dijk and Salah eventually putting pen to paper. Yet Alexander-Arnold continued to run his contract down to force a move to Madrid.
Smicer added: "Personally, I don't like this situation (with expiring contracts).
"I think for the players, it's better when they know their future. At the moment, I can't see if Ibrahim Konate is sure about his next move. Anytime he's not performing at the top level, the fans question his contract situation. It's normal, it will always be like this.
"If you commit your future, then the fans will say, 'Okay, maybe he was not good today' - but because the situation is like this, anytime he makes a mistake, they will say, 'He will go.' That will be in his head."
Konate's form is having a big impact on Liverpool due to the team's lack of depth at the back. Van Dijk is 34 and struggling to show his best form, while Joe Gomez has struggled to stay fit throughout his Liverpool career.
The Reds did bring in a new center-back during the summer transfer window in Giovanni Leoni, but he's out for the season after suffering a serious knee injury on debut.
Smicer continued: "We experienced this situation last season with three players, but personally, when I was playing, I always wanted a long-term contract.
"It's better for your confidence, for your life, for your position in the team. I knew my future, and I committed to the team. I’d like Konate to decide as soon as possible what he's going to do in the future."