Liverpool's potential starting XI next season as Ibrahima Konate agrees to stay
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Ibrahima Konate has confirmed he is set to stay at Liverpool following months of speculation surrounding his future - here's a glimpse at how Liverpool could line up next seasonIbrahima Konate will beat Liverpool player next season(Image: Getty Images)Ibrahima Konate has revealed that he is set to stay at Liverpool next season following months of speculation.The French defender is in the final few weeks of his current contract and had been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield, with talks on a new deal seemingly stalling. However, the 26-year-old has all but confirmed he will be a Liverpool player next season.“To be fair, there are many things people have said, but for a long time we have spoken with the club, and we are [now] close to an agreement," Konate explained.
The 20-year-old was seemingly a replacement for Konate, who was expected to leave at the time.Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson have both also confirmed they will leave Liverpool after the current campaign, with the pair saying farewell to Merseyside after nine years.With these departures and Konate now staying at the club, we can already get a sense of what Liverpool’s team could look like at the start of the 2026/27 season. Konate staying negates the need for a new center-back, with 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni edging nearer to returning after sustaining an ACL injury on his Liverpool debut.Despite Jacquet being dubbed as a successor for his French counterpart, it seems highly unlikely that he will take his place in the starting XI, especially when the youngster is still recovering from a shoulder injury and hasn't played for Rennes since February.With Salah gone, that leaves a huge gap for Liverpool to fill.
Rio Ngumoha has delighted Liverpool fans with his cameos this season and his ability, especially in 1-v-1s.However, if Arne Slot keeps his job, it seems unlikely that the 17-year-old will be a regular feature with the Dutchman managing his minutes.It is a problem that needs addressing, and if Slot wants someone who is Premier League proven, then Anthony Gordon is the perfect candidate. The 25-year-old is set to leave Newcastle this summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool for a number of seasons.Possible Liverpool line-up in 2026/27: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Wirtz; Olise, Isak, Gordon.