We saw the good, the bad and the adversity for Ibrahima Konate for Liverpool in 2025/26, but how big a blow will his exit be for the Reds?
The Frenchman entered the new campaign off the back of his first Premier League title, matching Joel Matip as a fellow great foil for Virgil van Dijk.
There was, though, a feeling that it was time for Konate to find another gear and hit a world-class level to become truly elite and show he was the future leader of Liverpool’s defence.
Let’s just say it didn’t pan out that way…
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The worst spell of Ibrahima Konate’s Liverpool career?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 14, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté reacts to conceding the second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Those opening five wins in the league for Liverpool felt flawed and undeserved, with five goals conceded in that time and little control in games.
It was clear early on that Konate wasn’t performing with the same level of focus as the previous term, too often making sloppy decisions in and out of possession.
He had gone backwards, and any demands over a shiny new deal felt rich.
Writing for This Is Anfield after a dire performance in the 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray in September, David Lynch said Konate was “making too many mistakes at the moment to justify a huge pay bump.”
Whether it be switching off or simply making huge errors on the ball, Konate was a mess, with Arne Slot in typically blunt form after he conceded a reckless penalty away to Leeds in December.
LEEDS, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 6, 2025: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté reacts to conceding the penalty during the FA Premier League match between Leeds United FC and Liverpool FC at Elland Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Unfortunately for him, he does a lot of things well, but he has been a bit too much at the crime scene, that is something I’ve heard people saying before in England,” Slot said.
“So that means that he’s been involved in goals we’ve conceded, but if you are a centre-back that happens in football.”
In a season full of bad performers, Konate felt as culpable as anyone.
Opponents were clearly allowing him to have the ball, and it often worked, with the centre-back not possessing the line-breaking passing quality of others.
Admirable response after death of Ibrahima Konate’s father
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
What’s worth stressing is that the death of Konate’s father in January was something the Liverpool defender had to battle with during those struggling months.
That and the heartbreaking passing of Diogo Jota in July, as he and his Reds teammates lost a great friend.
To ask any footballer to continue playing at the very highest level in such a testing period is a big ask, and Konate deserves some leeway.
But the manner in which he responded in the remaining months of the season was admirable, not least in his first game after his dad passed.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Sunderland AFC and Liverpool FC at the Stadium of Light. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Konate scored in front of the Kop in the 4-1 win at home to Newcastle, and the celebrations with his teammates showed exactly what he means to them.
Regardless of form, his character and popularity could never be questioned.
It triggered an upturn in fortunes for Konate, even if his performances weren’t always rock-solid, as Liverpool limped over the finish line in the Champions League battle.
The sloppy errors dried up, games passed without noticing Konate too much, which is often the sign of a central defender playing well.
That’s not to say that this was a season that he should back on with any fondness, though, with Jamie Carragher offering a damning verdict after the 2-0 loss away to Paris Saint-Germain in April.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 31, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté drinks from a plastic Lucozade bottle before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Defenders were jumping into midfield, there was no one to mark and Virgil van Dijk, at 34 years of age, was having to run in there and across,” Carragher said on CBS Sports.
“He couldn’t do it. People have criticised Van Dijk for his performances this season, but I think it’s been harsh. He plays every game, and the fella next to him has been awful all season – and poor again tonight.
“Konate makes a mistake every game, so that’s not easy to play alongside.”
Statistically in the league, Konate was actually stronger than in 2024/25 – 3.4 aerial duel wins per game compared to 2.4, and 5.3 clearances to four – but the eyes told a different story, and those numbers are naturally higher because he had to defend more.
There were spells when he was more of a hindrance than a help, and he was arguably among Liverpool’s five most disappointing performers overall.
The end of a Liverpool career that promised more?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
After constant speculation over Konate’s future throughout the season, the news was confirmed on Sunday night that he will be leaving the club after five years.
It is another baffling piece of work from Liverpool’s transfer team, as a fourth title winner departs on a free transfer within 12 months.
Opinion will be split over Konate’s worth, and whether he will ever reach the level he should, but retaining his services was still surely the best outcome.
He knows and loves Liverpool, is coming into his peak years and may have loved proving that he could lead the defence after Van Dijk has gone.
It’s also understood that the player himself was keen to stay and to become a leader after departures of other veterans.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté (L) challenges for a header with Sunderland's Brian Brobbey during the FA Premier League match between Sunderland AFC and Liverpool FC at the Stadium of Light. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Konate departs as an influential and popular Liverpool player of five years, making 183 appearances and winning four trophies.
Did he become world-class? No.
But he will be remembered for excelling in a tough system, so often covering huge areas of space while Trent Alexander-Arnold marauded forward.
He’ll certainly have a host of Europe’s top clubs making offers this summer and go on to play at the elite level for the rest of his career.
All the best, Ibou.
Best moment: The goal against Newcastle soon after the death of his father.
Worst moment: Needless penalty conceded in the 3-3 draw at Leeds.