Liverpool expert David Lynch has talked up the importance of a new Reds deal for Ibrahima Konate, labelling the Frenchman one of the Premier League's "best defenders" on his day.
The former RB Leipzig man has endured a frustrating time with injuries since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2021 but has started each of the Reds' last eight matches across the Premier League and Champions League.
Konate is still on the same terms that he penned upon his arrival three years ago, and as things stand, the 25-year-old would be able to leave Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the 2025-26 season.
However, a report from The Athletic claims that conversations are now underway with Konate's representatives over an extension, and Lynch believes that tying the Frenchman down to fresh terms would be a crucial bit of business.
"Yeah, that's a huge boost because I think that's been going under the radar a little bit, that he'd been into this last couple of years, and I think he's shown this season how crucial he can be," Lynch told Sports Mole.
"He's another one back to his best now. It was a bit of a struggle for him, the back end of Jurgen [Klopp]'s reign and getting injuries consistently as well under the manager."
'Konate is one of the best defenders in the Premier League'
© Imago
Konate initially engaged in a fierce battle with Joe Gomez and Joel Matip for the right to partner Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence, and the emergence of Jarell Quansah last season increased competition for defensive minutes at Anfield.
Quansah - who has just signed a new contract of his own - ended Jurgen Klopp's farewell season as Van Dijk's main partner, and Konate also failed to play a single minute for France at Euro 2024, where William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano were preferred by Didier Deschamps.
Quansah also started against Ipswich Town on the opening weekend of the season, but the youngster was hooked at half time for Konate, who has now re-established himself as a key man in the Liverpool backline.
The 6ft 4in defender has won one FA Cup, two EFL Cups and the Community Shield while representing Liverpool, and Lynch feels that there are few better centre-backs in the Premier League when Konate is on his game.
"The idea is that Liverpool will get fewer injuries generally, and Konate is one of the ones you want to focus on getting on the pitch more frequently. He's shown now that when he does do that, he's right up there as one of the best defenders in the Premier League. He seems to be really enjoying it as well," Lynch added.
"It's great that we're nearing a conclusion on that one, because you hadn't heard much on that for a little while, and that was getting a little bit concerning. You don't want to lose a player of that quality and have to go into the market and try and find another, so good to have him tied down as well."
The statistics do not lie for Konate
Should Konate make an appearance in Liverpool's clash with Chelsea on October 20 following the international break, it will mark his 100th match for the Merseyside giants, whom he has scored five goals and registered three assists for in his first 99 games.
Three of those contributions have come in the current campaign, as Konate made the net bulge against AC Milan and Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, in addition to providing an assist for Luis Diaz in the 3-0 win over Bournemouth.
Data from FBref shows that over the past 365 days, Konate ranks in the top 2% of centre-backs in the big five leagues for aerials won per game with 4.30, as well as being in the top 6% for progressive passes per 90 with 5.93.
At just 25 years old, the ball-playing centre-back could easily enjoy another decade of success in a Liverpool shirt, and agreeing a new-and-improved contract with his camp really is a no-brainer.
However, sporting director Richard Hughes also has his hands full with Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah's contract situations, as all three could leave for nothing in 2025.
Lynch provided a positive update on how talks are progressing with the trio, though, in addition to revealing Quansah's Liverpool 'obsession' following his own long-term extension.
