Ibrahima Konate makes true Liverpool feelings clear before RM transfer audition

Liverpool will take on Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek where Ibrahima Konate will be hoping to be included in the starting line-up

Ibrahima Konate has delivered a rallying cry to Liverpool supporters ahead of their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid. The defender was instrumental in the Reds' 2-0 triumph over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Liverpool had endured four consecutive Premier League defeats before their Anfield victory over Villa. Arne Slot's side will now turn their attention to hosting Madrid in their final European fixture before the international break.

Konate will be eager to secure a starting berth when Los Blancos visit Anfield on Tuesday evening. The match could see former Reds full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold facing his boyhood club for the first time following his summer departure which saw him move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Following Liverpool's Saturday night success against Villa, Konate addressed supporters via social media the next day. "Back to winning ways under the lights. Now we focus on Tuesday," Konate posted on Instagram to his 3.1 million followers.

The post has gone on to receive more than 60,000 likes which includes Jeremie Frimpong, Curtis Jones, Florian Wirtz, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, as well as former Reds Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.

Konate's statement arrives whilst uncertainty surrounds his Anfield future. The 26-year-old's deal with Liverpool runs out at the end of the campaign, and there is still no clarity on whether fresh terms will be negotiated.

Madrid have emerged as potential suitors for Konate should the defender opt against penning a new Liverpool contract. From January, the centre-back will be free to negotiate with clubs outside England, including Madrid, for a pre-contract agreement for next summer.

It would not be the first time that a Liverpool player becomes the subject of interest from Madrid heading into the final six months of their contract. It was a similar situation for Alexander-Arnold, who was widely tipped to sign for Madrid as a free transfer before a deal was agreed for the defender to move to Spain at the start of June to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Alexander-Arnold said: "When the draw was announced, everyone knew it was going to happen, it was destined for that fixture to come. It will be a very difficult game, the reception and atmosphere will contribute to that.

"Although they (Liverpool) haven't had the results of late, they're still a top footballing team, and nobody here thinks it's going to be an easy game."