Virgil van Dijk insists he needs “world-class” Ibrahima Konate to remain at Liverpool past this summer time, when the French defender’s contract is about to run out.
Requested about Konate’s contract state of affairs, Van Dijk stated: “We’re mates, we talk about every thing. It is a course of and let’s examine what comes out of it. It is by no means that simple. We noticed with my very own state of affairs final 12 months so it is by no means that simple that we will simply say “let’s get it performed”.
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Konate, 26, joined Liverpool in 2021 and the France worldwide has made 165 appearances for the membership since his transfer from RB Salzburg for £35m.
Liverpool could have Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet – each are at present injured – out there in the summertime as centre-back choices however it stays to be seen if the membership can agree on a brand new take care of Konate.
“Clearly I need him (Konate) to remain,” stated Van Dijk. “He is an necessary determine on the pitch. That is what everybody sees however off the pitch as effectively, he is one of many leaders. He is excellent and in my eyes, a world-class centre again. I can do solely a lot however it’s within the membership’s fingers, collectively together with his brokers and himself so let’s examine what comes out of it however I’ve no affect in any other case on that.”
The Liverpool captain was talking after he scored the one aim as Arne Slot’s aspect grew to become the primary crew to within the Premier League this season.
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Liverpool additionally grew to become simply the second crew to maintain a clear sheet at Sunderland this season and Van Dijk hailed Konate’s show.
“He (Konate) was excellent,” Van Dijk added.
“He was unimaginable right this moment. (Brian) Brobbey was with him 90% of the time. Brian Brobbey has made quite a lot of defender’s lives this season fairly troublesome however Ibou did excellent.”
Earlier within the week, Slot claimed Liverpool will have to be “near perfection” to qualify for the Champions League subsequent season and Van Dijk agreed with that evaluation.
The Reds’ captain added: “For those who take a look at the groups round us, a few of them dropped factors. I feel we will play most of them, so undoubtedly we’d like some perfection. This recreation (in opposition to Sunderland) was fairly near perfection, how we defended, the depth, but additionally the possibilities we generated. Perhaps we must always have scored extra however it’s nonetheless taking it recreation by recreation.
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“Sadly, we have Wata (Endo) out now (the Japan worldwide was stretchered off). Hopefully it is not too lengthy however it might be. We’re very skinny in the meanwhile. We’d like everybody out there however it’s a mix of being prepared, bodily and mentally. For instance, final recreation shedding in that method at residence (to Man Metropolis), you need to be robust to return again from that. That is why I am happy with the blokes and the shift they put in. It is an necessary three factors.”