Liverpool's potential starting XI next season as Ibrahima Konate agrees to stay

Ibrahima Konate has confirmed he is set to stay at Liverpool following months of speculation surrounding his future - here's a glimpse at how Liverpool could line up next season

Ibrahima Konate will beat Liverpool player next season(Image: Getty Images)

Ibrahima Konate has revealed that he is set to stay at Liverpool next season following months of speculation.

The French defender is in the final few weeks of his current contract and had been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield, with talks on a new deal seemingly stalling. However, the 26-year-old has all but confirmed he will be a Liverpool player next season.

“To be fair, there are many things people have said, but for a long time we have spoken with the club, and we are [now] close to an agreement," Konate explained. "I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible, but we are in a good way.

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

"I’m waiting to sort the contract, but when everything is sorted, you will have to ask (sporting director) Richard Hughes what I said to him in September, November, and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.”

He added: "Yes [it's taken a long time], but this is a negotiation. With Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah last season, it was exactly the same. I think they signed the contract in April, and this is maybe how the club want it."

Jeremy Jacquet is unlikely to displace Konate form the starting XI(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool finalized an $82 million deal for Jeremy Jacquet at the end of the January transfer window for the Frenchman to join the Reds for the 2026/27 season. The 20-year-old was seemingly a replacement for Konate, who was expected to leave at the time.

Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson have both also confirmed they will leave Liverpool after the current campaign, with the pair saying farewell to Merseyside after nine years.

With these departures and Konate now staying at the club, we can already get a sense of what Liverpool’s team could look like at the start of the 2026/27 season. Konate staying negates the need for a new center-back, with 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni edging nearer to returning after sustaining an ACL injury on his Liverpool debut.

Despite Jacquet being dubbed as a successor for his French counterpart, it seems highly unlikely that he will take his place in the starting XI, especially when the youngster is still recovering from a shoulder injury and hasn't played for Rennes since February.

With Salah gone, that leaves a huge gap for Liverpool to fill. Jeremie Frimpong could be used as a right winger with Conor Bradley at right-back; however, the Reds need a big name to step into Salah's shoes.

Michael Olise is the perfect Salah replacement, with the winger on 43 goal contributions for Bayern Munich so far this season. With Robertson also on his way, Milos Kerkez will almost certainly be confirmed as the first-choice left-back.

The midfield arguably looks very similar, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch retaining their places alongside Florian Wirtz, who is starting to find his feet at Anfield.

A few weeks ago, Hugo Ekitike would've been the first name on the team sheet for the next campaign. But the French striker ruptured his Achilles tendon in the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield and will be sidelined for the rest of this season, including the World Cup, as well as a large part of the 2026/27 campaign.

One frustration for fans during the 2025/26 season is the left-wing role. Cody Gakpo has retained his place for the majority of games despite being heavily criticized for his lackluster performances. Rio Ngumoha has delighted Liverpool fans with his cameos this season and his ability, especially in 1-v-1s.

However, if Arne Slot keeps his job, it seems unlikely that the 17-year-old will be a regular feature with the Dutchman managing his minutes.

It is a problem that needs addressing, and if Slot wants someone who is Premier League proven, then Anthony Gordon is the perfect candidate. The 25-year-old is set to leave Newcastle this summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool for a number of seasons.

Possible Liverpool line-up in 2026/27: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Wirtz; Olise, Isak, Gordon.