Liverpool could now see one long-time star remain at the club after all. The Reds had news of a bombshell decision on Friday.
Ibrahima Konate will not remain at Liverpool beyond this season. The Frenchman's contract expires and it appears he isn't getting a new one.
This is a story that has rumbled on all season long, however it did look like a positive outcome was on the way. Konate publicly said towards the end of the season that he expected a new deal to get signed.
That won't be the case, though. The Athletic are among many saying Konate is now to leave the club after failing to agree on terms with Liverpool.
For the second window in the row, then, Liverpool see a first-team star run his contract down and leave. It remains to be seen where he ends up, but all we can say for sure is that the Reds now need to figure out a plan.
Konate is a starting centre-back for the club and the new signings in the position - Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet - are both far too young to be entirely relied on. So do the Reds go out and sign a new senior centre-back?
It would be nice but it's not that simple. Liverpool are already looking to spend on the wings and in midfield. Splashing out more cash at centre-back feels unlikely.
So that's why it now looks like Joe Gomez will remain at Liverpool. He's a senior option and any fee the club would receive in a sale is likely to be minimal, given he has just one year left on his contract.
It makes complete sense to keep Gomez as an option for another year, rejecting any overtures from the likes of Aston Villa. He can help keep things steady as Jacquet gets used to life at Liverpool.
Of course, it then creates another nightmare scenario in 2027 with both Gomez and Virgil van Dijk out of contract. But at this stage, Liverpool just need to cross that bridge as they come to it.
Liverpool Campaign and Stats
As of 29 May 2026, Joe Gomez faces an uncertain future at Anfield following a stop-start campaign. The 29-year-old versatile defender was largely utilised as a bit-part player under head coach Arne Slot, making just seven Premier League starts. His domestic season concluded on 24 May with a brief, one-minute cameo off the bench in Liverpool's season-ending 1–1 draw against Brentford. Despite limited game time, he was recently named a 2026 PFA Community Champion for his charity work.
Anfield Exit and Transfer Links
With his contract set to enter its final year, Gomez has publicly admitted his future remains up in the air and is believed to be open to a fresh start. A major transfer battle is brewing, with newly-crowned Europa League winners Aston Villa identifying him as a prime target to boost their upcoming Champions League campaign. AC Milan and Beşiktaş are also monitoring his situation closely.
