(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media)

Ben Palmer

Sun 17 August 2025 7:30, UK

Ibrahima Konate appears to be on his way out of Liverpool after talks over a contract extension ground to a halt.

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That is the view of Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier, who told Football Insider exclusively that it was no surprise to see the defender criticised for his performance against Bournemouth, due to the uncertainty surrounding his contract situation.

Konate’s performance for Liverpool in their opening game of the 2025/26 season was difficult to say the least.

The French defender struggled to pick out simple passes, sliced clearances, and was caught out of position for both of Antoine Semenyo‘s goals.

Konate has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for much of the summer, as Los Blancos need a replacement for David Alaba.

Liverpool are attempting to renew the Frenchman’s contract, but The Guardian reported at the end of June that the 26-year-old was disappointed with the offer presented to him by his current employers.

Virgil van Dijk was forced to cover for Ibrahima Konate on more than one occasion.

(Credit Imago)

This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.

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The former RB Leipzig defender’s miserable opening night performance for Liverpool, combined with the ongoing speculation over his future, makes criticism of him unsurprising, according to Le Tissier.

Jamie Carragher slammed Konate for his “shocking” display against the Cherries on 15 August.

And Le Tissier told Football Insider it does not look like the defender will sign a new deal with Liverpool.

He said: “I know that he’s only got a year left of his contract at Liverpool, he doesn’t look like he’s going to be signing another one.

“When you’re in that situation there’s always going to be criticism about whether you’re fully committed to that club because you feel like you’re leaving at the end of that season.”

With one eye on the future, Arne Slot’s side have looked to rejuvenate their backline this summer.

Geovanni Leoni has been signed from Parma for £26million, plus add-ons [BBC Sport].

Liverpool have signed Geovanni Leoni from Parma, (Credit: Marco Iacobucci)

The young Italian is unlikely to have been signed as a direct replacement for Konate, given he has made only 30 senior appearances in his career.

However, with the Frenchman potentially on his way out of Anfield next summer, the Reds are proactively looking to deal with the issue by signing one of world football’s most talented young centre-backs.

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