Virgil van Dijk makes feelings clear on Ibrahima Konate contract decision - 'We speak'

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is hoping that Ibrahima Konate stays at Anfield beyond this season, while he is also confident that the Reds can secure a Champions League finish

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool.(Image: Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk says he is very keen for Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract with Liverpool, with the Frenchman's existing deal set to expire at the end of the season.

Konate was in superb form as Liverpool beat Sunderland on Wednesday, helping keep a clean sheet. Van Dijk scored what proved to be the winning goal in the second half, moving the Reds within two points of the Champions League places.

"(Konate) was outstanding," Van Dijk told reporters at the Stadium of Light. "He was incredible today. Brobbey was with him 90 per cent of the time. Brian Brobbey has made a lot of defenders' lives this season pretty difficult, but Ibou did outstanding."

"We are friends; we speak about everything," Van Dijk said regarding Konate's contract situation, which has so far shown no signs of progress. "It’s a process and let’s see what comes out of it. It’s never that easy.

"We saw that with my situation last year, so it’s never that easy that we can just say 'Let’s get it done'. It’s a process and let’s see what comes out of it.

"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.

Ibrahima Konate hugs Alisson Becker after the match between Sunderland and Liverpool at Stadium of Light on February 11, 2026(Image: Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)

"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."

If Konate and Liverpool's form continue to head in the right direction, the Anfield side should be confident of securing its minimum aim of Champions League soccer. After Manchester United and Chelsea slipped up, it capitalized.

"I’m confident in my team and it’s down to us to show that each and every three, four days," Van Dijk added. "Now our focus turns to the FA Cup, then we have a long week to prepare for Forest.

"There’s plenty of improvement if you compare our games to that period in November but I feel like we’re still not where we want to be. That’s down to us but games like tonight show we’re in a good way but we have to keep going.

"If you look at the teams around, some of them dropped points. I think we’re going to play most of them so definitely we need some perfection.

"Today was pretty close to perfection, how we defended, the intensity but also the chances we generated and maybe should have scored but it’s still game by game.

"Unfortunately, we’ve got Wata [Endo] out now — hopefully not too long but it could be. We’re very thin at the moment. We need everyone available but it’s a combination of being ready, physically and mentally.

"For example, last game losing in that manner at home and you have to be strong to come back from that. That’s why I’m proud of the guys today and the shift they put in. It's an important three points."