The news that felt all but inevitable these past days has finally been made official.
French defender Ibrahima Konate is also leaving Liverpool FC at the end of his contract this summer, as announced by the club on Sunday.
Konate joined the Reds in 2021 from RB Leipzig, and made an immediate impact in his partnership with captain Virgil van Dijk. While this contract saga has gone on for the better part of the year, everyone had hoped that a deal would be made to keep him on Merseyside. It turns out
it just wasn’t meant to be.
The Frenchman made 183 appearances, scored seven goals, and leaves the club with a Premier League title, two Carabao Cups, an FA Cup, and a Community Shield. Konate also posted a personal farewell message on his Instagram account, with highlights of his five years in the red shirt.
It clearly hasn’t been the easiest season for Konate, struggling with form and the loss of his father in addition to the loss of Diogo, but he always showed up and did the best job he could whenever he was on the pitch. Stepping into the role of the other side of Virgil van Dijk would be hard for anyone, and even at his young age he took it on with determination and confidence.
He will be dearly missed as the club continues it’s rebuild.
