Liverpool did not end up losing Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer, instead netting a surprisingly reasonable fee in order to release him in time for the Club World Cup.

But if an agreement looks impossible, Liverpool will have to decide if it is willing to once again run the risk of a free transfer, perhaps even with Real Madrid reprising its role as the meddlesome suitor.

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On the other hand, no amount of off-pitch commercial savvy can allow a club renowned for its sustainable model to continually let elite players leave for nothing — especially not players like Alexander-Arnold and Konate, with their peak years still to come?

Taking a long-term view, Liverpool needs to find ways to maximize value when it finds itself in a corner over contract negotiations.

With this in mind, the club is said to have set a price for Konate.

According to AS, Liverpool would be willing to sell the Frenchman this summer for $58 million (£43 million).

He may well decide that if he can't move to Real Madrid this summer, he doesn't want to go anywhere — leaving the Reds with no hope of cashing in, except on Los Blancos' terms