Ibrahima Konate reacts to Alexis Mac Allister’s message with ‘eyes’
Ibrahima Konate missed out on a place in the PFA Team of the Year as speculation over his future at Liverpool continues.
Liverpool‘s Premier League opener against Bournemouth saw Cody Gakpo and new signing Hugo Ekitike impress, but Konate was given a torrid time at the back as Antoine Semenyo scored twice for the visitors.
Arne Slot‘s side came through unscathed to begin their title defence with a 4-2 victory, but questions remain over Konate‘s place in the side after Liverpool re-opened talks with Crystal Palace for Marc Guehi.
Football Insider revealed on 17 August that amid his continued stand-off over a new contract at Anfield, Konate could leave Liverpool as soon as January as the Reds look to avoid losing him on a free transfer.
Mac Allister celebrates PFA award as Liverpool dominate
Konate is a long-term target for Real Madrid after his form alongside Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool’s title-winning defence, but that form wasn’t enough to earn the Frenchman a place in the Team of the Year.
Several of the 26-year-old’s team-mates did receive that accolade, however, as Liverpool dominated the ceremony with Mohamed Salah crowned PFA Player of the Year and had five Team of the Year members.
Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, skipper Van Dijk and new arrival Milos Kerkez were all included, and Mac Allister posted on Instagram on 20 August to celebrate his evening in Manchester.
Mac Allister‘s post was captioned with “PFA Awards” as he posed with his award-winning team-mates, and Konate responded to the Argentine with a ‘heart eyes’ emoji.
Konate to complete anticipated Liverpool exit
Football Insider Verdict
Liverpool are set to intensify their pursuit of Guehi as they wrangle over Crystal Palace‘s £40million price tag for the England centre-back, but both clubs could be consigned to losing their defenders for free.
Football Insider revealed last month that Real Madrid are ready to bid £25m for Konate before the end of this summer’s window, but recent history suggests they could wait until his contract expires at Anfield.
The Reds are also weighing up whether to take a similar approach for Guehi with his deal set to expire in 12 months’ time, and it looks increasingly unlikely that he and Konate will ever play together for Liverpool.