Liverpool boss Arne Slot has received mixed news as he builds his squad ahead of next season as two talismanic figures approach a crossroads
head coach Arne Slot of Liverpool FC and Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool FC looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at Parc des Princes
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is close to seeing Ibrahima Konate sign a contract extension at Anfield(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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The 2025/26 season hasn't gone how Liverpool envisioned but Arne Slot is focused on keeping as much of his band together as possible. In that regard, fans have two very intriguing updates to mull over at the start of this week.
The Reds are flying high on the back of a Merseyside derby win over Everton on Sunday. Virgil van Dijk's last-minute decider marked a triumphant start to the Hill Dickinson Stadium era in this fixture while keeping Liverpool's hopes for a top-five Premier League finish well on track.
Heading towards the summer, the focus will soon shift toward next term's project and how best to reignite the team's title ambitions. And Mirror Football breaks down the latest headlines from around Anfield as the Merseysiders target a sprint finish over the line.
Konate closes in on new contract
Just when it looked certain Ibrahima Konate was bound for the Anfield exit when his contract expires this summer, a fresh update has completely swung momentum. And according to the player himself, director Richard Hughes may be the one to blame for the fact a deal wasn't done before now.
Konate said this week: "My future? To be fair, there are many things people have said but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement.
"I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible, but we are in a good way. For sure there is a big chance I’m here next season. This is what I always wanted.
"I’m waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask Richard [Hughes] what I said to him in September, November, and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet."
Fans were convinced they saw Konate and Cody Gakpo filming contract announcement videos after the pair were snapped on a shoot together in Liverpool. And that would serve as an early summer gift for some fans hoping to see this squad unified.
Tying down Konate will be considered great business to many considering Virgil van Dijk is poised to leave when his deal expires in 2027. And with the £55million arrival of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes this summer, the Reds' defensive options are suddenly looking bountiful once again.
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Szoboszlai says 'no progress' on extension
Less positive is the latest update Dominik Szoboszlai has given on his own contract situation and where things currently stand. That's after the former RB Leipzig star, who is a candidate to win Liverpool's Player of the Season award, commented he and the club haven't made any meaningful moves toward an extension.
Szoboszlai, 25, has a contract that's due to expire in just two years' time. But with Real Madrid supposedly fans of the midfield playmaker, Liverpool would be wise to tie down his loyalties sooner rather than later rather than risk a repeat of last season's saga that ultimately ended with Trent Alexander-Arnold agreeing to join the La Liga outfit at the end of his contract, before the club paid £10 million to sign him early enough to compete in the Club World Cup.
"As I said [several weeks ago], there has been no real progression," said the Hungarian. "So I cannot say anything new about my contract situation. We have a lot of games to go and I am focusing on that.
Dominik Szoboszlai speaks with Arne Slot
Dominik Szoboszlai says he has made no real progress in Liverpool contract talks(Image: Getty Images)
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"As you guys maybe know, my contract ends in 2028, so I am ready to go every day, every week, and then let's see. Of course I see myself here in the long term, but as I say, it is not really in my hands any more.
"I love being here, as I've said many times. I love the fans and I really like to be here. My family is happy. Let's see. I'm completely relaxed. We have five games to go. Then I am going to rest - a big one, after my international break. Then we will see."
The encouraging detail is Szoboszlai's eagerness to stress just how happy he is at Anfield. However, it's around this point of a player's contract that questions start to be asked about long-term commitments.
Given Real are one of the few clubs capable of tempting talent from Liverpool's gates, there's cause to be on guard over the matter. And after Szoboszlai's importance to the team has grown so exponentially over the course of this season, Liverpool fans will expect the club to put a heavy emphasis on prioritising his future next.
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