Liverpool news: Ibrahima Konate update issued as Jurgen Klopp admits Arne Slot awkwardness

Liverpool's lack of certainty ahead of the summer could have an effect on their squad building

Arne Slot's second season slump at Liverpool had extra fuel added to the fire by Jurgen Klopp's recent return to Anfield. It's been a dismal defence of the Reds' Premier League title, with the Dutchman so far leading the club to sixth in the table.

The likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have had their issues with injuries and form, with Liverpool looking like a shadow of the team that stormed the league last season. With the Reds set to once again utliise the transfer market this summer, a replacement for Mohamed Salah will be now be needed following the announcement he will leave Anfield at the end of the season.

Liverpool's only chance of winning a trophy now rests solely on the Champions League after their 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final defeat. The uncertainty of Ibrahima Konate's future in Merseyside, meanwhile, has taken a new twist, while Klopp opened up about the awkwardness of his return. Mirror Football takes a look at the latest stories coming out of Anfield.

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Ibrahima Konate plan

Amid the uncertainty of several of Liverpool's playing squad, the situation of Ibrahima Konate could very well be at the top of the list. Out of contract at the end of the season, negotiations over a new deal with the France international have reportedly stagnated, with his future in the balance.

The 26-year-old was previously linked with a move to Real Madrid. However, according to Fabrizio Romano, via Caught Offside, Los Blancos informed the Reds they were not actively pursuing him earlier this season, and Konate is open to staying on Merseyside.

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However, with the likely departure of David Alaba come the end of the 2025/26 campaign, Madrid are said to have been monitoring centre-back options. Konate did provide hope regarding his future at Liverpool during a recent interview with ESPN FC where he the club enjoying success next season.

The Frenchman said: "When we win the league or the Champions League, people will forget every bad season we had. We won the league last season but two seasons before that we were in the Europa League. But people don't talk about this any more. This is just part of the success.

"We have to be relaxed because we have amazing fans and we have to stay together and the success will come, for sure. Maybe this season or maybe in the future for sure."

Jurgen Klopp's confession

The former Reds boss made his return to Anfield last week for Liverpool Legends' 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund in their annual charity match. The presence of the iconic German inside the ground he resurrected was one celebrated by the sold-out crowd who chanted his side within a minute of the match beginning.

His return no doubt came at a time where many Liverpool fans would have been reminiscing about his reign amid the struggles Arne Slot has had this season. With some questioning whether the Dutchman should remain in his position, Klopp admitted his presence in Merseyside came at a difficult time.

Speaking at an LFC Foundation fundraiser before the Legends match, the 58-year-old said: "First, it was going so good [for Liverpool under Slot] and I didn’t want to jinx it. Then it’s going not so good and I didn’t want to show my face. But I had to because I committed to this so long ago."

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