Ibrahima Konate new contract latest as Liverpool talks prove 'problematic'

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But when that deal fell through, the Reds could still comfort themselves with the knowledge that they had a solid stable of four center-backs, led by Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

That number has now dropped to three.

Leoni's freak injury is the same kind of one-off event that happened to Van Dijk against Everton in 2020 — but while that incident took Jurgen Klopp down to two center-backs, Slot has three options even after the injury on this occasion.

He also has some respectable emergency options at his disposal.

But Liverpool's worries regarding the Frenchman extend beyond the current campaign, with contract talks still not resolved.

As things stand, Konate will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

But following the pattern of the Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah sagas last season, these attempts are unlikely to play out in the public domain, with the club keeping its cards close to its chest.

That hasn't stopped Konate from speaking out on more than one occasion.

There's no doubting that everyone would prefer Konate to sign a new deal, but the bigger concern at Anfield will be making sure it can navigate the current campaign without a defensive crisis