Arne Slot responds to Ibrahima Konate Liverpool comments and confirms Harvey Elliott plan

Slot and Konate

Liverpool boss Arne Slot remained coy on the future of Ibrahima Konate with the defender still yet to sign a new contract with the club.

The France international is now into the last few weeks of his current deal and has been expected to extend his stay on Merseyside after suggesting last month that he was close to agreeing fresh terms.

Konate said

“For sure there is a big chance I’m here next season,"

"This is what I always wanted. I’m waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask (sporting director) Richard Hughes what I said to him in September, November and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.

“Yes (it's taken a long time) but this is a negotiation. With Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah last season it was exactly the same, I think they signed the contract in April and this is maybe how the club want it.”

But, nearly four weeks on, and with just two games of 206-27 campaign remaining, a new contract for the 26-year-old is still to be announced.

Slot was asked about Konate's situation during his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool's trip to Aston Villa on Friday evening, but wasn't giving anything away.

The Reds head coach said: "If there is a resolution then we will tell the world. At the moment, we will share it the moment it is."

Slot was also asked about the future of Harvey Elliott, who has endured a nightmare season on loan with Friday's opponents Aston Villa.

Elliott has made only four Premier Leagueappearances, therefore failing to trigger Villa's £35m automatic obligation to buy agreement.

Speaking about the midfielder's situation, Slot said: "I think for him, everyone, didn't work as out as we wanted it. Usually sign a player or loan to use him, but hasn't happened a lot.

"Not for me to answer why that it is, but it is never nice for not many minutes.

"I assume he played more with us last season and he went there for more time. Such a talented player, he did so well at Under-21s Euros, you want a player like that to play more. But he went to a good team with a lot of good players.

"Not for me to answer but it's always a pity when a player like that doesn't play a lot.

"Plan next season? He is contracted to us so he will be with us at the start of next season."

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