Alexander Isak has been faced with criticism following his performance vs Inter Milanplaceholder image
Alexander Isak has been faced with criticism following his performance vs Inter Milan | Getty Images
Liverpool have been trying to persuade Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract for over a year and he is running out of options.
Liverpool have been trying to persuade Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract for over a year which in itself is probably an indication of where the player’s heart lies.
Another indication is the half-hearted manner in which the 26-year old tried to stop Wolves from opening the scoring at Molineux. It looked like he was favourite to get to the ball only for Rodrigo Gomes to get there first. The Reds dictated possession and territory but didn’t really do anything with it and, aside from the two goals, Alisson was relatively quiet at the other end of the park too. As Slot said early this season, Konate has found himself at the scene of the crime on too many occasions.
Liverpool could benefit from Ibrahima Konate situation
At one point, Konate could count Bayern Munich and Real Madrid among his many admirers with Inter Milan also making an offer for his services. Add Liverpool into the equation and it is easy to see how the player might not be fully focused. According to AS though, after Bayern withdrew their interest some time ago, that list could be even smaller now: “(William) Saliba was on their shortlist, but he renewed with Arsenal, as did (Dayot) Upamecano with Bayern.
“Konaté's contract is also expiring, but he hasn't impressed, and the name currently generating the most buzz, as AS has already reported, is that of Nico Schlotterbeck , a 26-year-old German center-back whose contract with Borussia Dortmund ends in just over a year, in June 2027.” With clubs continuing to drop out, Liverpool could benefit and end up agreeing a contract that is less than might have been offered in the past, if Konate decides that he doesn’t want to move on.
Steven Gerrard wants Liverpool pair to toughen up
Konate didn’t cover himself in glory against Wolves, however, according to Steven Gerrard, neither did his defensive partner Virgil van Dijk: “Liverpool are clutching at straws if they're asking for a foul [for Wolves' winning goal]," Gerrard told TNT Sports. "Wolves brought on a big, physical presence and you've got to be ready for that. You've got to stand up and be stronger. I think he'll be disappointed with that when he watches it back. He was hoping [Ibrahima] Konate could bail him out."
Liverpool now have a decision to make and it may be that, with Konate running out of options, that they withdraw any contract offer on the table and wait for the player’s representatives to realise that the grass isn’t always greener. Out of the clubs that could afford him, not many would be on the same level as Liverpool.
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