Liverpool boss Arne Slot has reportedly made it crystal clear to Fenway Sports Group that he does not want to lose Ibrahima Konaté amid growing transfer interest.

The Reds have already seen several big names depart over the summer, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhin Kelleher, Luis Díaz, and Darwin Núñez all moving on. But Slot appears determined to ensure that Konaté doesn’t join the list of high-profile exits.

💣 Real Madrid circling
Spanish outlet Defensa Central claim Real Madrid remain keen on the 26-year-old defender, who is now in the final year of his Liverpool deal. Reports even suggest that Los Blancos were prepared to sacrifice their stake in Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo to push through a move for the Frenchman.

With contract talks at a standstill, Slot has urged the Liverpool board to “make an extra effort” to secure Konaté’s future at Anfield, stressing his importance to the squad.

⚡ A player Liverpool can’t afford to lose
Despite criticism for a shaky display against Bournemouth – where Jamie Carragher labelled his defending as “really poor” – Konaté remains a cornerstone of Liverpool’s backline. He started 30 Premier League matches last season, forming a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk during the title-winning campaign.

His current salary of £70,000-a-week is considered modest compared to many of his teammates, especially given his contributions on the pitch. Eurosport’s Martin Mosnier even described him as a “monster” defender at his best.

❤️ More than just football
It’s also worth noting that Konaté, like many of his teammates, is still dealing with the emotional toll of losing close friend Diogo Jota recently. Slot, who has worked with him for over a year, knows exactly what he brings both on and off the pitch.

🔑 The verdict
Allowing Konaté’s contract to run down could prove to be a costly mistake for Liverpool. Unless his demands are unrealistic, keeping him should be a top priority. Slot has made his stance clear – now it’s up to FSG to act.