Why Liverpool and Ibrahima Konate would both benefit if he stays

In November Ibrahima Konate admitted the transfer speculation was getting to him and said his agents were still in talks with Liverpool about a decision he hoped to announce soon. More than three months later there is still no certainty over his future, but staying at Anfield now looks the most likely — and arguably the best — outcome.

Konate’s season included a sharp dip in form that saw him substituted after 55 minutes in the 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest, with Arne Slot bringing on Hugo Ekitike and reshuffling the defence. That run of performances prompted fierce criticism — Jamie Carragher called continuing to pick him “a sackable offence” — though injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending ACL problem left Slot with limited alternatives.

The poor spell also cost Konate a potential free transfer to Real Madrid and hardened Liverpool’s stance on wage demands, yet his contribution to the club’s title win last season was undeniable.

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