Liverpool rocked as contract talks with first-team regular break down

Ibrahima Konate has played his final game for Liverpool after failing to agree terms on a new deal, according to reports, just days after the club's new £60 million centre-back spoke about his move.

For months, Konate and his representatives have been in talks with Liverpool regarding a new contract.

The 27-year-old hinted in April that he was close to signing on the dotted line. "There are many things people have said but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement," he said.

"For sure, there is a big chance that I'm here next season. This is what I've always wanted."

At the time, Konate said "we are in a good way" regarding talks with Liverpool but on Thursday evening, talkSPORT reported that Konate will leave the Premier League club when his contract expires in June.

The defender, who has made 51 appearances in all competitions this season, joined the Reds from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in 2021 for £36 million.

He has played 183 times for the club and won one Premier League, two Carabao Cups and an FA Cup.

Konate struggled at the start of the season but improved in recent months. Image credit: Getty

Liverpool's new centre-back speaks out as he prepares to join new teammates

The Reds completed a pre-agreed deal with Rennes for Jeremy Jacquet in February, with the club paying £55 million up front and a further £5 million in add-ons for the 21-year-old defender.

Jacquet, who is the 10th most expensive French player in history, believes he is good enough to flourish at Anfield, despite making just 31 appearances for the Ligue 1 club.

"I won't say it [his decision] was a quick one, because I took my time with this big step but I quickly saw myself at Liverpool," he told Ouest-France, a French newspaper.

"I'll be 21 in July. For me, there's the sporting project and the personal project. At my age, I prioritise the sporting side. I'm focused on football.

"My agent told me there were two choices: either go to a mid-table club or skip the step altogether. Initially, we were leaning towards a mid-table club.

"But then I told him: 'If the biggest clubs in Europe are interested, we're not going to turn them down. They're there for a reason.'

"I spoke with the management; the club's history weighed heavily on my decision but so did the project they offered me."

Jeremy Jacquet has impressed since making his debut for Rennes in January 2024. Image credit: Getty

He added: "Promising young players command quite high prices and of course, that adds pressure: am I worth that price or not? I think I have the minimum resources to go there. I'm going there to play as much as possible."