Liverpool 'fear losing ANOTHER key man to Real' - as star's contract expiring

Liverpool reportedly fear that Ibrahima Konate could follow Trent Alexander-Arnold out of Anfield and join Real Madrid.

Konate's contract expires next year and there have been no positive updates about progress towards a new one.

Alexander-Arnold announced his exit after 20 years at the club earlier this month and spoke of his desire to 'experience a new challenge'.

His move to Real Madrid has not been officially confirmed but the Spanish giants have been confident of luring him since December, as reported by Mail Sport.

Now the Reds have a 'strange feeling' that Konate could do the same, according to Marca.

Konate confirmed back in January that he had received a contract offer from Liverpool but was cryptic when asked if he would sign it.

'This is another conversation,' he said.

'Who talked about that a few months ago (November)? The club didn't say anything, I didn't say anything, it's one person (journalist) that says that.

'I was not ready, I didn't know when he said that but after I spoke with the club. But after, I'm really focused on what happened now and we'll see what will happen.'

Konate's performances at the heart of the defence have been impressive this season and it was no surprise Liverpool endured one of their leakiest periods when he was injured between late November and the new year.

The Frenchman has now spent four seasons on Merseyside and is growing into the potential that caused Liverpool to trigger his £36million release clause at RB Leipzig in 2021.

Mail Sport columnist Danny Murphy feels he and Van Dijk are as good a partnership as Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.

'There was a lot of talk about Gabriel and William Saliba for a couple of seasons but these two have matched them this season,' he told Match of the Day 2 in April.

'Look at the numbers when they play together compared to when they don't. It really is stark.

'We don't want to be in the same position next summer, Konate has only got a year left so that needs sorting out.'

Shay Given agreed, saying: 'On the back of a brilliant season, you have to tie him [Konate] down.

'You would imagine Van Dijk as well will be in Konate's ear, saying this could be the start of something major at the club.'

Konate has won five trophies with the Reds - the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup (twice), and the Community Shield - while he also started in their 2022 Champions League final defeat by Madrid.