Expert: Liverpool first-XI starter is 'finished' at the club

Liverpool are planning to lose Ibrahima Konate at the end of the season and have no plans to renew contract talks in the coming months.

Contract talks with Konate fell through as he has his eyes set on a move away from Anfield, and Arne Slot is now prepared to sanction his departure.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Slot feels he can upgrade on the error-prone centre-back in the summer transfer window.

Real Madrid were strong suitors for Konate, but have since publicly pulled out of the race, while he continues to be linked with the likes of Chelsea and PSG.

Despite the uncertainty about his eventual destination, however, Liverpool believe allowing the France international to leave will be beneficial long-term.

Ibrahima Konate closes in on Liverpool exit

Brown told Football Insider last month that Liverpool could accept offers for Konate in January in an attempt to raise last-ditch funds from his departure.

However, their lack of winter activity means they are now prepared to wait until the summer when they will be better-placed to move for his replacement.

“Konate has made far too many mistakes that end up being costly,” Brown told Football Insider.

“Mistakes and centre-halves don’t go together, if you want to be successful you can’t afford to be worrying about whether your defenders are going to mess it up.

“They have to be reliable and dependable, and Liverpool don’t think Konate is one of those.

“He hasn’t signed a new contract, and Liverpool are okay with that, they’re not going to keep offering him new ones when he isn’t earning it on the pitch.

“Slot isn’t happy with the way he’s been playing, so he’s ready to let him go and then they’ll want to bring in somebody to upgrade on him.

“Konate is finished at Liverpool at the end of the season, they’re going to let him go and then move to bring in a more reliable and accomplished replacement.”

Liverpool plan to block Joe Gomez exit in January

Despite the speculation about Konate’s future and a growing feeling he will be allowed to leave, the opposite can be said for Joe Gomez at Anfield.

Brown told Football Insider on 13 January that Liverpool will block Gomez from leaving as he is needed as cover given their lack of defensive squad depth.

Liverpool confirmed Conor Bradley has undergone surgery following a knee injury picked up against Arsenal and is likely to be ruled out until the end of the season.

Football Insider revealed in September that Gomez could leave Liverpool in January in search of first-team opportunities, particularly if the Reds sign a centre-back.

However, with no incoming deal on the horizon and ongoing injury issues combined with defensive concerns, Slot is set to rely on Gomez in the second half of the season.

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