Time for Richard Hughes to open talks for £400k contract renewal

Liverpool are reported to have reached a contract breakthrough with Ibrahima Konate.

The 26-year-old defender has confirmed that an agreement is close over a new deal - which will tie him to the Premier League champions beyond this summer.

Even with Konate tied down there is set to be significant disruption in the centre of Liverpool’s defence over the coming year.

Lots of new defenders have been signed - with Giovanni Leoni being joined by Mor Talla Ndiaye, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Jeremy Jacquet as new faces at the AXA Training Centre come summer.

Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are both out of contract in 2027 meanwhile - meaning an experience gap opening up at the heart of Arne Slot’s backline.

There have been links to established names - for example Alessandro Bastoni and Nico Schlotterbeck - but none of those are as good as Van Dijk.

Liverpool should renew Van Dijk's contract

In fact it is probably time for sporting director Richard Hughes to consider offering the captain another renewal - even at this relatively early juncture.

The end of next season represents a hard stop for Van Dijk - following his record-breaking £75m arrival from Southampton in 2018.

Last season the Netherlands’ skipper was signed up on a mammoth £400k per week deal - ensuring continuity beyond the Premier League title win.

And while the jury has been out on a few occasions this season - with Van Dijk committing some uncharacteristic errors - he remains one of the best around.

Whether it’s winning aerial duels - or scoring goals at the other end - Van Dijk is peerless. And with so many youngsters arriving it makes sense to tie him down for another year.

Van Dijk proves he is worth another contract

Van Dijk remains in peak fitness - an incredibly robust customer who has played every single minute of the club’s Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

He is showing no signs of winding down - even though he will have turned 36 by the time his current deal ends. No one is saying sign up Van Dijk until he’s 40 - but surely a one-year extension would make sense for the beancounters inside FSG?

The relationship with Konate is well-established and Van Dijk’s leadership and dedication are unmatched. While Mo Salah’s output has deteriorated across this season - through either decline or misuse - Van Dijk remains on top.

His winning goal against Everton on Sunday was his sixth of the season in all competitions - as many as £116m attacker Florian Wirtz.

Liverpool quite simply don’t have another player with the personality or character who can come up clutch again and again.

He may have retirement in mind at the end of the 2026/27 season but if any club is going to get some usage out of Van Dijk beyond that it should be Liverpool.