Virgil van Dijk has commented on the Ibrahima Konate contract stand-off with the Anfield club.
Ibrahima Konate has responded to one of the most painful moments of his life with the kind of resilience Liverpool have been crying out for at the back – and nowhere was that clearer than his towering display away to Sunderland, delivered in the middle of a contract stand-off with the club.
His level has noticeably risen since his return after being granted compassionate leave following the unfortunate passing of his father, Hamady.
All of that context fed into a tense night at the Stadium of Light, where Liverpool knew they could not afford another slip in the race for Champions League qualification.
Up against a Sunderland side unbeaten at home in the league this season, Konate produced one of his most complete performances in a Liverpool shirt. Tasked with dealing with the physical and relentless Brian Brobbey, the Frenchman married aggression with control, dominating duels and snuffing out counter-attacks before they could develop.
Alongside Virgil van Dijk, who scored the only goal of the game, Konate formed a defensive wall that protected Liverpool’s narrow 1–0 lead as Sunderland launched an aerial bombardment late on. He was credited with winning the majority of his individual battles and made a crucial last-ditch intervention as the hosts chased an equaliser.
Now the Reds skipper, speaking to the media including the Liverpool Echo, has admitted that he would like Konate to remain at Anfield:
“It’s a process and let’s see what comes out of it. Obviously I want him to stay. He’s an important figure on the pitch. That’s what everyone sees but off the pitch as well, he’s one of the leaders.
“He’s outstanding and in my eyes, a world-class centre back. I can do only so much but it’s in the club’s hands, together with his agents and himself, so let’s see what comes out of it but I have no influence otherwise on that.”
“It was not my decision to leave [my contract] that late but it is what it is. There is always hope [for Konate staying].”
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