Liverpool news: Virgil van Dijk transfer demand as team-mate faces exile | Football | Sport
Virgil van Dijk wants Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract at Liverpool (Image: Men In Blazers)
Following their midweek return to winning ways in the Premier League, Liverpool now shift their focus to Saturday evening’s FA Cup encounter with Brighton. Manager Arne Slot will undoubtedly be eager to make an impression in this year’s tournament after his team suffered a humiliating fourth-round exit at the hands of Plymouth Argyle last season.
It has been a challenging campaign for the reigning Premier League champions, who have faltered in their bid to defend their crown. The FA Cup, along with the Champions League, now represents Liverpool’s strongest chance of securing silverware this term. But the Reds are grappling with a mounting injury crisis. Express Sport looks at today’s latest Liverpool news…
Van Dijk has spoken out about Ibrahima Konate’s future (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool skipper Van Dijk has expressed his desire for the club to secure Ibrahima Konate’s future with a fresh contract. The French defender’s contract expires this summer with no agreement in sight, meaning he could depart as a free agent, with Real Madrid monitoring the situation.
The Dutch international spoke about the “world-class” centre-back and emphasised his wish to continue partnering Konate at the heart of Liverpool’s backline for years to come, though he acknowledged the matter rests with the club. “We are friends,” Van Dijk said of Konate.
“We speak about everything. It’s a process and let’s see what comes out of it. It’s never that easy. We saw with my [contract] situation last year so it’s never that easy that we can just say: ‘Let’s get it done’.
“Obviously I want him to stay. He’s an important figure on the pitch. That’s what everyone sees but off the pitch as well, he’s one of the leaders. He’s outstanding and in my eyes, a world-class centre back.
“I can do only so much but it’s in the club’s hands, together with his agents and himself, so let’s see what comes out of it but I have no influence otherwise on that. It was not my decision to leave [my contract] that late but it is what it is. There is always hope [for Konate staying].”
Wataru Endo suffered a serious injury at Sunderland (Image: Getty Images)
Star’s Anfield future in doubt
Endo’s serious injury sustained against Sunderland could potentially mark the end of his time at Liverpool. The 33-year-old suffered a nasty blow after landing awkwardly on his ankle.
The Japan captain arrived at Liverpool in 2023 from Stuttgart in a £12million deal. However, with the combative midfielder’s contract running until 2027, it’s understood that the Premier League champions would be open to offers for him.
The defensive midfielder was reportedly on the verge of joining Marseille in 2024. Clubs from both Germany and England are also said to be monitoring his situation.
Liverpool manager Slot admitted that Endo faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, suggesting the injury could potentially end his campaign prematurely.
“I assume he will be out for a long, long time. What is long, it is difficult to say at this moment but you can hardly believe what this right full-back position brings us this season,” Slot said after the Sunderland game.
The setback proved particularly unfortunate for Endo, who was filling in at right-back against the Black Cats – a position that has plagued Liverpool throughout the current campaign.
Slot has already been forced to navigate injuries to his preferred right-back options Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, whilst Dominik Szoboszlai, another player who has featured in that position, was ruled out of the Sunderland fixture due to suspension.
