Liverpool confident of extending struggling star’s contract despite form criticism

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One of Arne Slot’s first choice centre-backs is in the last year of his contract (Picture: Getty Images) Ibrahima Konate may be struggling for his best form this season, but Liverpool have offered him a new contract and are confident he will sign it. The 26-year-old has remained first choice alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, as he was last season under Slot, but struggled again in Istanbul on Tuesday.

Ibrahima Konate has not been at his best this season (Picture: Getty Images) The report states that a contract offer was made in December, but did not satisfy Konate in his role as a regular in the starting XI. Konate criticism Whether it is because of the distraction of his uncertain future or just a dip in form, Konate has come in for criticism from Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher. ‘Liverpool look vulnerable at the back,’ he told Sky Sports after the loss at Galatasaray. ‘Ibrahima Konate put in another poor performance in Turkey, with his hospital pass to Ryan Gravenberch nearly giving Galatasaray a second.

He and the other Liverpool defenders could not deal with Victor Osimhen.’ Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 (Picture: Getty Images) After wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle to start the season, Carragher was critical of more than one Liverpool star, but had the sternest words for Konate. ‘There are people for Liverpool who have made a really poor start to the season,’ Carragher told Sky Sports after Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle. ‘Mo Salah is one of them, even though he has got a goal and an assist. He is not at the races at all. ‘I absolutely shudder to think where Liverpool would be without Virgil van Dijk who has been absolutely outstanding. ‘At one stage I remember Anthony Gordon winning a header against Konate in the first half and thinking “that can’t happen”.’ Hugo Ekitike is a doubt for the trip to Chelsea (Picture: Getty Images) Injury headaches for Slot Both Alisson and Ekitike were forced off with injuries, with Slot confirming his goalkeeper would not be available at the weekend. ‘When he sprinted back, he felt something,’ the manager said of his goalkeeper, who was taken off after 56 minutes. ‘I cannot tell you because I am not a physician but normally when a player sprints back and feels something and goes to the floor and doesn’t come back to the pitch – which by the way they did 112 times, being injured and coming back on the pitch without any pain – but our players don’t do this. ‘So if one of our players is on the floor nine times out of 10 I fear the worst and with the worst I mean he cannot continue and that is what happened with Alisson. ‘He will not be able to play Saturday that (is) 99.9 percent (certain), I have already said 100 per cent.’ What's next for Liverpool?