Ibrahima Konate to Leave Liverpool FC

Liverpool FC can confirm Ibrahima Konate is set to leave the club upon the expiry of his contract this summer.

The centre-back will depart Anfield at the end of June, bringing his five-year spell with the Reds to a conclusion.

Signed from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021, Konate made a total of 183 appearances and scored seven goals.

The France international will leave with a Premier League winner’s medal for his role in Liverpool’s 2024-25 title triumph, as well as successes in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup (twice) and FA Community Shield.

Konate will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for the contribution he made and everyone at the club wishes him the best for the future.

Ibrahima Konate has posted a farewell message to Liverpool FC after it was announced that he will leave the club this summer.

The centre-back will depart Anfield upon the expiry of his contract after a five-year Reds career that saw him make 183 appearances and win the Premier League title, the FA Cup, Carabao Cup (twice) and FA Community Shield.

In a post on social media, Konate wrote:

Dear Liverpool,

Five years ago, I arrived as a young player with big dreams. Today, I leave with memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Representing this club has been an honour. We’ve shared incredible moments together… highs and lows, trophies, challenges, lifelong friendships, and heartbreaking moments that will stay with us forever, none more painful than losing our brother Diogo.

Losing my father this year was one of the hardest periods of my life, but even through hardship, my commitment to this club never changed. During the toughest moments, I gave everything I had for this badge.

To my teammates, coaches, staff and everyone behind the scenes, thank you for helping me grow every single day.

And to the supporters… thank you for your love, your energy, and your incredible support. Anfield is truly a special place, and playing in front of you was something I never took for granted.

I am deeply saddened that I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to all of you at the last game. At that moment, I didn’t know it would be my final time wearing this shirt in front of you.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything. I love you all and will carry Liverpool with me wherever I go.

This isn’t an easy goodbye, but it’s time for a new challenge and a new chapter.

See you again soon, inshallah.

YNWA.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Appearance and Goal Summary
League	League	FA Cup	FA Cup	L/Cup	L/Cup	Other	Other
Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
111 (7)	2	13 (3)	1	6 (7)	0	36 (0)	4

Liverpool Injury Update

Liverpool injury update and expected return dates after fresh Arne Slot blow

Liverpool are gearing up to host Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, with boss Arne Slot close to having a near-full squad for the clash with Ruben Amorim's side.

Liverpool have surged to a dominant lead at the top of the Premier League, with the Reds now holding a gigantic eight-point lead over nearest rivals Nottingham Forest.

Sunday's trip to West Ham was a comfortable one for Arne Slot's side, who thrashed the Hammers 5-0. They did have to recover from an early injury to Joe Gomez though, with the Englishman forced off before half-time.

Slot has had to battle injuries to several key players, but has been able to keep his side rolling along. They are arguably in a very healthy state heading into the New Year, with only four stars in the treatment room.

Gomez became the fourth on Sunday evening, though that number looks set to be eased in the coming days.

Joe Gomez

Gomez has enjoyed a resurgent year since taking the place of Ibrahima Konate in central defence. But he was forced off 37 minutes into the win over West Ham with an apparent muscle injury.

While he was unable to provide a full update on the injury, Slot admitted he fears the Gomez could be sidelined for a 'while'. He told Sky Sports: “You saw today an injury of Joe Gomez. If a player says he wants to stop, he has to be changed.

“In a sprint, then we all know it’s a hamstring and we all know it’s going take a while before he is back. I don’t know how long but he will be out for quite a bit. These situations can happen in a season.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Ibrahima Konate

The Frenchman has not featured since the win over Spanish giants Real Madrid. But Slot has hinted he could be fit to face United on Sunday.

"Konate & Bradley will not be back for West Ham United, but then there is a week in between so let's see how close they are then," Slot said.

"It's difficult for me to tell you at this moment because they don't train with the group yet, but hopefully in the upcoming days they come closer to that situation. And then again, Ibou has been out then for five or six weeks maybe, Conor just as long I think, the same amount."

Potential return date: 5 January 2025

Conor Bradley

Bradley was also injured in the win over Real Madrid at the end of November. If Slot is correct, the right back may also be back for the visit of United, though he did sound a warning.

The Reds boss has insisted Bradley and Konate will have to earn a recall, though this appears to be more of an issue for the former given Gomez's injury. Bradley will be battling against Trent for the right-back spot.

Slot said: "They are in competition with players that are completely fit and doing really well, so I have to make the right judgement the moment they are back with the team."

Potential return date: 5 January 2025

Federico Chiesa

Chiesa was once again not included in the squad for the win over West Ham on Sunday. It is the 19th game the Italian has been excluded from, with Slot revealing he is still working on his fitness.

"Federico I've said many times already, we are working on two things, we are working on his match fitness and whenever we can we tried to bring him with the team," Slot said on Sunday.

"He was on the bench during the week and we thought it was better for him to have some extra training sessions instead of joining us. It's the constant balance we have to find between getting him fitter and fitter and letting him join the team."

Potential return date: January 2025

mirrorfootball

Round-up, Internationals: Konate, Trent, Endo, & Kelleher in action

Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate, Wataru Endo and Caoimhin Kelleher enjoyed victories with their national teams on Thursday night.

Konate was a starter for France and played all of their 4-1 UEFA Nations League win against Israel in Budapest, while Kelleher was in goal for the Republic of Ireland's come-from-behind success away at Finland.

Endo, meanwhile, captained Japan to a 2-0 win versus Saudi Arabia in a World Cup qualifier.

Elsewhere, Trent Alexander-Arnold was involved in the entirety of England's 2-1 defeat by Greece at Wembley, where Curtis Jones was an unused substitute for the hosts.

Kaide Gordon, currently on loan at Norwich City, was introduced in the second half of the 2-1 win for England's Elite League Squad away at Italy.

Two Academy players were in action on Wednesday evening.

Kyle Kelly came off the bench as St. Kitts and Nevis won 3-1 against the British Virgin Islands, while Amara Nallo started for England U19s in their 2-1 loss to Portugal.

Jota and Portugal to meet Konate's France

Diogo Jota and Portugal earned a penalty shootout victory over Slovenia on Monday night to set up a meeting with Ibrahima Konate’s France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.

Jota was a 65th-minute substitute for his nation in Frankfurt as the last-16 clash ended goalless after 90 minutes.

In the extra-time that followed, Liverpool’s No.20 played a crucial role in earning his side a penalty, producing a driving run into the area before being brought down.

Cristiano Ronaldo, however, saw his spot-kick saved by goalkeeper Jan Oblak, which meant the tie required a penalty shootout after finishing 0-0.

Portugal went on to secure a 3-0 win on penalties, with Diogo Costa saving all three of Slovenia’s efforts to earn his country progression.

Earlier in the day, Konate was an unused substitute for France as they booked their spot in the last eight with a 1-0 victory over Belgium.

A Jan Vertonghen own goal five minutes from time settled the tie in Dusseldorf.

Portugal and France are now set to meet on Friday evening (8pm BST kick-off) for a place in the semi-finals.

Via liverpoolfc.com