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Liverpool have struggled defensively this season, is a new contract for Ibrahima Koante a good idea?
Richard Hughes could do no wrong last summer when it looked like he had secured Liverpool another Premier League title.
Half of Europe’s most promising young players turned up at Anfield on an almost weekly basis and, from the outside, it looked like a new era of dominance was about to begin with only Arsenal capable of claiming any sort of stability. With hindsight, it looks like the Reds made too many changes too quickly, but there have been other mistakes made over the last couple of seasons.
Liverpool defensive woes continue
For all that Hughes is capable of getting big deals done, the recurring trend of key players and those who regularly feature in the starting XI getting into the final months of their contracts before a decision is made on their future is becoming a distraction. Last season it was Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, this time around it is Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson.
Konate in particular has clearly been affected by not knowing where he is going to be playing his football next season with a raft of errors caused by a lack of concentration costing his team dearly. That Arne Slot has singled Konate out for criticism when it comes to some of the goals that have been conceded says it all. Whether or not these comments are a factor in the 26-year old’s decision making remains to be seen.
Konate offered new deal to stay at Liverpool
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have made one last effort to persuade Konate to stay at Anfield. Slot is reported to be happy with his centre-half options for next season, however, if Konate does sign a new deal, he will be in much better shape: “Negotiations over a new contract at Anfield have reportedly stalled, placing the centre-back’s long-term future in doubt, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.
“Liverpool’s hierarchy are reportedly determined to keep the 26-year-old at the club and have already presented their most lucrative salary proposal to date in an attempt to convince him to stay.” If Konate hasn’t agreed terms by now, it is because he is waiting for something that, in his head, would be something better. He will know that the likes of Paris Saint Germain and Real Madrid have been linked with a move even if Bayern Munich have seen sense and been put off by some of his erratic displays. Maybe Liverpool should save a pound or two by following their example.
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