Ibrahima Konate has revealed that a final decision on his future at Liverpool will be made soon amid strong interest from Real Madrid. The French centre-back has entered the final part of his five-year contract with the English champions that he signed in 2021. The Reds are yet to agree a new deal with the defender, with only weeks left before he can initiate pre-contract talks with foreign clubs.

Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate has revealed that he gets calls from compatriot Kylian Mbappe every two hours to sign for Real Madrid. The French defender is into the final year of his contract and from January he will be able to hold pre-contract talks with clubs abroad. The Reds, on the other hand, are determined to offer him a new deal to avoid another situation like Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot quipped after Sunday's 3-0 loss at Manchester City that the very best time to judge a team is at the end of the season. "The next best time," the Dutchman argued, "is after 19 games, because then you've all faced the same opponents." However, we don't really need to wait until the halfway point of the Premier League campaign to determine whether Liverpool are capable of retaining their title. The Reds' race is already run after five dreadful defeats in 11 games.

Ibrahima Konate has revealed the cheeky motivational message he sent to new Liverpool teammate Hugo Ekitike after the French striker joined in a £79 million summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt. The defender admitted to giving the 23-year-old a “hard time” during training sessions as he pushed him to prove his worth at both club and international level.

Jamie Carragher insists Liverpool should not panic over Ibrahima Konate's future, saying his former club will be "absolutely fine" if the defender leaves on a free transfer next summer. The France international has less than a year remaining on his contract and it remains to be seen whether he will agree an extension ahead of the January transfer window opening.