Ibrahima Konaté Deal Reached as Liverpool Sends Strong Warning to Real Madrid
Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement regarding Ibrahima Konaté’s future, while also sending a clear message to Real Madrid amid growing transfer speculation.
This season, the French defender has faced mounting criticism following Liverpool’s defensive struggles. However, former Premier League defenders Conor Coady and Rio Ferdinand have both come to Konaté’s defense, dismissing claims that his performances have declined.
The Reds — current Premier League champions — have been under intense scrutiny after several shaky defensive displays in recent weeks. Despite starting the campaign with five consecutive wins, Liverpool’s backline has looked vulnerable, and Konaté has often found himself at the center of discussions.
With the 26-year-old’s contract due to expire next summer, the club now faces the real possibility of losing him on a free transfer. Real Madrid are closely monitoring the situation, having maintained long-standing interest in the former RB Leipzig star. Reports from Spain suggest that Xabi Alonso’s side could make a move to secure Konaté on a free deal next year.
Konaté’s form this season has been inconsistent — mixing solid displays against Arsenal and Everton with errors in matches versus Bournemouth, Newcastle United, and Galatasaray. Ferdinand believes the ongoing Madrid rumors have unfairly made Konaté a scapegoat.
“There’s no way Konaté has suddenly turned into a bad defender,” Ferdinand said. “The criticism stems from the Real Madrid links. Whenever fans or the media need someone to blame, they’ll turn on him because of that speculation.”
Liverpool’s biggest issue this season has been their inability to hold onto leads. Despite scoring late goals to equalize in their last two Premier League matches, they’ve been punished in stoppage time — most recently by Estevão Willian’s late winner, echoing Eddie Nketiah’s decisive strike the previous week.
New signings Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have also come under pressure, while Conor Bradley’s performances have dipped noticeably.
Coady believes Konaté’s occasional mistakes are not entirely his fault, blaming tactical changes and lack of defensive cover.
“From a centre-back’s point of view, it’s tough for him,” Coady explained. “He’s been forced to defend wider than usual because Frimpong or Bradley push too far up, leaving space behind. Sometimes even Szoboszlai isn’t covering the midfield properly.”
“When you’re a centre-back, you never want to be defending like a right-back. That’s not your zone — you don’t have the same pace or angles. Trent used to drop back to cover that space, but now it’s often left wide open. That forces Konaté to stretch, and it exposes him unfairly.”
Despite the growing pressure, both Ferdinand and Coady believe Konaté remains one of Liverpool’s most talented defenders. They urge fans and critics alike to focus on the system’s flaws rather than singling out one player.
