Ex-Liverpool winger admits to Ibrahima Konate transfer U-turn - 'Want him to stay'

After a difficult start to the season, Konate is beginning to show the sort of imperious form that helped lead Liverpool to the Premier League title last year

Jermaine Pennant has changed his opinion on Ibrahima Konate's future(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has changed his mind on Ibrahima Konate and revealed he now hopes the center-back will remain at the Reds beyond this summer.

Konate’s long-term future at Anfield looks uncertain, with the defender’s contract set to expire at the end of the season. Despite the club remaining in dialogue with the 26-year-old, there have been no breakthroughs in talks.

The prospect of losing Konate for free may have felt less alarming earlier this season, when the Frenchman made several high-profile errors. Even Arne Slot admitted he had “been a bit too much at the crime scene” this term.

But Konate's performance levels have improved drastically since the turn of the year, in particular over recent weeks, with the former RB Leipzig man impressing since returning to the team in the last four games.

Those performances have been enough to convince Pennant that Konate is deserving of a new deal at Anfield

Speaking on the latest episode of talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool show, Pennant said: “I’ve been one of his critics because I can only go on what I’m seeing week in, week out, and the performances weren’t there.

Konate's performances have improved in recent weeks(Image: Getty Images)

“If you’re not putting [in] performances, you’re making mistakes, you’re putting yourself up for fair criticism.

“But now, he’s showing what he was the season previous to that, which is fantastic.

“If he can stay in that kind of form and consistency, then of course we love him, we want him to stay and [sign] a new contract, just as long as it may continue.

“So whatever he’s done over the Christmas period, continue to do that.”

Virgil van Dijk wants Konate to stay at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk last week revealed he hopes Konate commits his long-term future to Liverpool.

“We are friends; we speak about everything,” said the captain after the recent victory over Sunderland.

“It’s a process and let’s see what comes out of it. It’s never that easy. Obviously I want him to stay.

“He’s an important figure on the pitch. That’s what everyone sees, but off the pitch as well, he’s one of the leaders. He’s outstanding and in my eyes, a world-class center-back.

“I can do only so much but it’s in the club's hands, together with his agents and himself, so let’s see what comes out of it. I have no influence otherwise on that.”