Konate is close to a new deal - and that is a huge boost for Liverpool
After victory over Everton on Sunday, the Frenchman revealed he is on the cusp of extending his stay at Anfield.
After their team won the first ever Merseyside derby contested at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to take a major step towards Champions League qualification, Liverpool fans probably could not have imagined their Sunday getting much better.
But then Ibrahima Konate elected to make a rare stop in the mixed zone after the game in order to deliver a long-awaited update on his precarious contract situation.
Speaking to reporters, the Frenchman said: “There are many things people have said but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement. I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible.
“For sure there is a big chance I’m here next season. This is what I always wanted. I’m waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask Richard (Hughes) what I said to him in September, November and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.”
After it was reported on these pages less than three weeks ago, this was official confirmation that a positive conclusion is finally in sight.
Of course there may, in fact, be some differing opinions on whether that is good news and, in being something of a microcosm of Konate’s season as a whole, Sunday’s game served to show why.
To steal an Arne Slot description of the defender, he was once again at the ‘scene of the crime’ for Everton’s equaliser; too slow and casual in closing down Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, allowing the midfielder time to cross for Beto to poke home.
As a centre-half, it is tricky to shake off the fact that you were involved in the concession of a goal.
But, while there was a lively debate among local reporters at full-time regarding how Konate had fared against Everton, should that one moment completely colour how his performance was viewed?
The fact is, with the Toffees targeting his side of the pitch, the 26-year-old made the second most defensive contributions (14) of any player - only trailing Curtis Jones’ frankly ridiculous 28.
And how many times did his front-footedness turn the hosts’ attempts to play off Beto or Thierno Barry into Liverpool possession?
