Ibrahima Konate’s underrated quality shows why a Liverpool extension makes perfect sense

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If, once again, Liverpool have risked losing an automatic choice on a free transfer, Konate is set to follow in the footsteps of Van Dijk and Salah. The patient, low-profile approach adopted by director of football Richard Hughes has not resulted in each of the big names decamping, even if Salah’s imminent exit, a year after he re-signed, shows his contract extension was not the boon it initially appeared.Hughes and the returning Michael Edwards inherited the Van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold issues, coming to the club when they were entering the last 12 months of their respective deals, and prioritising those could have an obvious knock-on effect for others, such as Konate, whose contract was expiring in 2026.

The gap between his best and his worst may be too big; the same could long be said of his teammate Gomez.Four months ago, at Elland Road and in comments that soon became overshadowed when Salah gave a rare interview, Slot reflected that Konate had been “too much at the crime scene” this season. That can be the centre-back’s lot, but his mistakes were too frequent.Ibrahima Konate has been the long-term central defensive partner of Virgil van Dijk (PA Wire)But his commitment has been appreciated.

He volunteered to return early from compassionate leave after the death of his father, Hamady, in January, when Liverpool were short of players; as, indeed, they often have been this season.So part of Konate’s appeal is that he has been available to make 46 appearances. Neither has been a regular for a full season anywhere, and this season has equipped Liverpool with warnings about the time required for new signings and imports to settle.Konate wants to play more of a leadership role with Mohamed Salah leaving (Getty)So even if they realise their potential and Liverpool’s hopes, Konate probably has to help tie the team over for a couple of years.