Liverpool captain advises teammate to reject Real Madrid

Captain and central defender Virgil van Dijk has publicly urged Ibrahima Konate to extend his contract with Liverpool amid interest from Real Madrid, describing the French star as a “world-class center-back.”

Captain and central defender Virgil van Dijk has openly expressed his desire for teammate Ibrahima Konate to remain at Liverpool, as the French international’s contract is nearing expiration and rumors link him with Real Madrid.

Speaking to the media, Van Dijk acknowledged that contract negotiations “have never been an easy process”. The Dutch defender has gone through a similar situation last season, so he understands the pressures involved. “We are friends and talk about everything. It’s a process, so let’s wait and see how it turns out. It’s not as simple as just talking and signing immediately,”he stated.

Nevertheless, Liverpool’s captain did not hide his personal opinion, emphasizing that Konate is a crucial part of coach Arne Slot’s system. According to Van Dijk, Konate is not only outstanding on the field but also a leader in the dressing room. “To me, he is a world-class center-back. I can only express my wishes; the decision lies with the club, his agent, and himself,” Van Dijk affirmed.

These praises are well justified following Konate’s impressive performance in the 1-0 victory over Sunderland. The French defender effectively neutralized the powerful striker Brian Brobbey, playing a major role in keeping a clean sheet. Notably, Sunderland has only been kept scoreless twice at the Stadium of Light this season, and this was Sunderland’s first away win in the Premier League this year.

Besides praising his defensive partner, Van Dijk, who scored the match-winning goal, highlighted the importance of the three points in the race for a top-four finish. He believes Liverpool must approach “perfection” if they want to secure a Champions League spot. “We still have to face many direct rivals. Therefore, we can hardly afford any mistakes,” the 34-year-old defender analyzed.

However, the victory came with a cost as midfielder Wataru Endo had to be stretchered off. Van Dijk admitted the squad is currently thin and hopes his teammate’s injury is not serious. “We need everyone ready both physically and mentally. After the loss to Man City, the whole team responded strongly. I’m proud of that fighting spirit,”he concluded.