Liverpool contract decision has taken twist as FSG may have to go against usual model

Ibrahima Konate must have found a four-leaf clover, had a ladybug land on him and spotted a rainbow on the eve of the Merseyside derby. Luck was firmly on the side of the Liverpool defender.

How Konate is not now serving a one-match Premier League ban has baffled almost everyone. Those of both Red and Blue persuasion agree he should have been issued his marching orders in the 2-0 victory over Everton. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and captain Virgil van Dijk concurred that the France international was fortunate to remain on the pitch.

When he bundled over breaking Everton striker Beto, a second yellow card seemed inevitable. Instead, it was Toffees boss Sean Dyche who went into Craig Pawson’s notebook for his remonstrations. And it was telling that Konate was on his last chance when Klopp immediately turned to Joel Matip to take off his training top and ready himself to be introduced.

In truth, it was somewhat of surprise to see Konate in the starting line-up. Although widely regarded as Virgil van Dijk’s strongest centre-back partner, he’s not held that remit for much of the early season. It was the former RB Leipzig defender's first Premier League appearance from the outset in eight matches - and maiden start in two months.

Konate's had a habit of picking up minor injuries during his Reds career and his minutes have been carefully managed in 2023-24. And after featuring twice for France during the international break, it made it more pquestionable why Konate was given the nod over Matip against Everton.

Matip had started the previous six Premier League fixtures before the Merseyside derby. In that period, victories over Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Wolves and West Ham were yielded. And while he sliced a cross into his own goal to condemn nine-man Liverpool to a 2-1 loss at Tottenham, he was blamed by no-one before going on to help earn a 2-2 draw against a much-vaunted Brighton outfit.

Indeed, Matip's Reds career is enjoying somewhat of an Indian summer. Yet given he's the club's second-longest serving player, having arrived on a free transfer from Schalke in 2016, it's easy to forget that he's still only 32. Van Dijk is the same age while the likes of Chelsea's Thiago Silva (39), Man City's Kyle Walker (33) and Newcastle's Kieran Tripper (33) are all his senior. In fact, Matip is only the 38th-oldest player to feature in the Premier League this season.

The fact that Matip came on ahead of Gomez against Everton suggests that he's currently ahead in the pecking order. And it seems that Konate’s position in Klopp’s rearguard is scarcely secured.

With Matip’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Liverpool and Fenway Sports Group have a decision to make over his future. The former Cameroon international has admitted he wants to extend his stay, having won six major trophies - including starting the 2019 Champions League final victory against Tottenham.

Handing new deals to players regarded past their prime is something that could be perceived as against FSG's usual model. Their mantra is to bring in recruits on the up and allow them to depart after surpassing their prime.

However, there is a precedent that players in their 30s can win new deals. James Milner was kept around at Anfield until he was 37. His most recent contract was given to him in the summer of 2022, with Klopp wanting to keep the former vice-skipper for longer before he departed at the end of last season. In addition, Jordan Henderson was 31 when handed a new five-year deal in August 2021.

With Jarell Quansah making eye-catching progress, Liverpool will not want to block his potential pathway to become a first-team regular. Konate, while he may not be a cast-iron starter this term, is very much regarded as the long-term successor to van Dijk. And Gomez has himself rejuvenated his Anfield career this term and is under contract until 2027.

But Matip has given a reminder that his Reds race is not complete. Klopp, sporting director Jorg Schmadtke and the FSG top brass will have to decide if it runs into next term.