Credit: Imago

Ciaran Morrison

Mon 1 June 2026 10:00, UK

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Virgil van Dijk has sent a message to teammate Ibrahima Konate after he confirmed he would be leaving Liverpool at the same time as sacked manager Arne Slot.

Van Dijk and Konate formed a strong partnership last season as Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy but the alliance was far less effective in the 2025-26 campaign.

Konate joined Liverpool in 2021 for £35million, but the Frenchman will be allowed to leave for free at the expiry of his contract later this month.

He becomes the latest big-name departure on a free following Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, while Slot was dismissed on Saturday.

The 27-year-old could not reach an agreement with Liverpool over a new deal despite negotiations having been ongoing since 2023.

Liverpool will look to sign a new defender this summer, with van Dijk now one of only two experienced centre-backs at the club.

Virgil van Dijk shares Ibrahima Konate farewell message

Taking to his Instagram story, van Dijk shared a message underneath an image of himself and Konate embracing at Liverpool’s title celebrations last season.

Van Dijk posted: “Its been a pleasure! 154 games by your side. Through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Thank you bro.

“We will miss you, but I wish you and your family all the best,” with a red love heart emoji at the end.

The future of van Dijk could now come into focus at Anfield, with the 34-year-old having just one year left on his current Liverpool deal.

Liverpool star tipped to leave Anfield

Joe Gomez could be the next defender to leave Anfield, with the 29-year-old in search of regular playing time.

Gomez didn’t nail down a place in the starting line-up under Slot or Jurgen Klopp, and Liverpool’s next manager will be needing to sign a new defender this summer.

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider that he believes Gomez will leave Liverpool this summer as part of the rebuild of their squad.

Gomez joined Liverpool in 2015 from Charlton, and any departure may only be sanctioned if the club can source his replacement.