Hugo Ekitike responds to Ibrahima Konate's message amid Liverpool uncertainty
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Credit: Imago/Manh Tung, Breaking Media
Jonathan Burnett
Wed 27 August 2025 12:40, UK
Ibrahima Konate has done his best to rally Liverpool’s fans as speculation continues over his long-term future at Anfield.
Konate‘s performances have already come under scrutiny this season after a “shocking” display against Bournemouth in their Premier League opener, which saw Antoine Semenyo catch him out for two goals.
Liverpool may have beaten Bournemouth and 4-2 edged Newcastle United 3-2 in their first two matches of their league title defence, but the Reds’ defence has been called into question after both victories.
Real Madrid’s long-standing interest in Konate has cast his future at Anfield into doubt as the Frenchman enters the last 12 months of his Liverpool contract, as has the Reds’ continued pursuit of Marc Guehi.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
Konate and Virgil van Dijk came under huge pressure from Newcastle despite Hugo Ekitike doubling Liverpool’s lead after Anthony Gordon‘s red card, as Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula both scored.
Newcastle’s comeback would end up being in vain, however, after 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha came off the bench to net an injury-time winner and become Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the process.
Ekitike and Ngumoha did their claims to be regular starters no harm at St.
James’ Park, as Konate posted on Instagram on Tuesday to congratulate the teenager on making history for the Reds.
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Konate’s message said; “We play football to feel these kind of emotions & we keep fighting until the very end!
Congrats on your first goal Rio Ngumoha”, and Ekitike responded to call him: “Mon frere”.
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Football Insider Verdict
Football Insider revealed on 17 August that Konate could leave Liverpool as soon as January if the Reds are unable to agree a new contract with the defender, and they would then look to recoup a transfer fee.
Guehi has emerged as Liverpool’s leading contender to replace Konate either this summer or next, with the Crystal Palace captain facing a similar decision of whether to leave for a fee or for free in 12 months.
Giovanni Leoni has already been signed to bolster Arne Slot‘s defensive stocks, but with uncertainty over Konate’s future seemingly here to stay, it remains to be seen if a move for Guehi will now accelerate.