Liverpool transfer stance on Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate as January window opens

Liverpool needs more players, if anything, not fewer, as the January transfer window opens, with Arne Slot's roster looking a little light of options in areas, like center-back

Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate emerge for a Liverpool training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

In just a few hours, the January transfer window will open. Liverpool, like the rest of the clubs, will be able to make moves, though it remains to be seen if the Reds will be active.

Among all the inevitable speculation surrounding potential arrivals and departures, Liverpool supporters may find their most pressing concern centers on two players who have been notably quiet of late. That silence is precisely why both Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson are on the verge of entering the final six months of their current Liverpool contracts.

While the duo are at contrasting points in their careers, each will be entitled to formally begin negotiations with clubs outside the Premier League regarding potential moves on Thursday. Any interested parties from the UK would need to hold off until the summer.

Konate presents the more fascinating case. Arriving in 2021 from RB Leipzig for around $48 million (£36 million), the France international reached his 100th Premier League appearance during the weekend victory over Wolves.

He has now clocked up 157 Liverpool appearances across all competitions and should, in theory, be heading into the peak years of his career.

Negotiations over fresh terms, which commenced over a year ago, have shown little progress towards a conclusion, with Konate's latest public remarks on the matter emerging last month.

Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"I've seen a lot of things in the press recently, like Liverpool have made me a new offer," he said. "I don't know where that's coming from. My agents are continuing discussions with Liverpool. I hope my decision will be made very soon so I can announce it."

Konate's inconsistent form in the early stages of this season left him vulnerable to speculation that he was being impacted by uncertainty over his future, especially with long-time admirer Real Madrid supposedly informing Liverpool that it had no interest in signing the center-back on a free transfer.

However, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain continue to be linked with Konate. Despite the rumors, the first-choice Reds center-back, who partners Virgil van Dijk, has shown commendable resilience with a string of improved performances recently.

Andy Robertson and Florian Wirtz celebrate after Liverpool drew level against Sunderland.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Still, the speculation about his future is likely to ramp up once the transfer window opens, even if Liverpool doesn't have enough options to consider a sale regardless.

In contrast, Robertson is no longer a fixture at left-back, having started only three Premier League matches this season, with summer recruit Milos Kerkez now the preferred choice.

The 31-year-old was on Atletico Madrid's radar before the start of the campaign, but no deal materialized. Instead, Liverpool streamlined their options in the position by approving a season-long loan move to AS Roma for Kostas Tsimikas.

Robertson's priority is leading Scotland in the World Cup this summer, and it's highly likely that his Anfield future won't be settled until closer to the tournament. Talk of progress has been muted since Robertson disclosed earlier in the year that initial discussions had already taken place.

Liverpool has no intention of selling either Konate or Robertson in the January transfer window, preferring to avoid letting them go for free at the end of the season.

Fenway Sports Group maintains a policy of allowing players to see out their contracts as long as they remain valuable to the first team, a strategy frequently employed under Jurgen Klopp and evident last season with Arne Slot's utilisation of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

However, the opening of the New Year transfer window could potentially mark the start of the end for both Robertson and Konate. Unless they pen new terms before the summer, this will be the final period of their Anfield chapters.