Liverpool enter talks to extend contracts of star defenders, a big boost for Arne Slot

Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah are in talks to extend their contracts at Liverpool, talkSPORT understands.

The news is a big boost for boss Arne Slot amid uncertainty over Virgil van Dijk's future. Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Negotiations with France are believed to be in an early stage. Konate.

The 25-year-old player has two years left on his contract in Anfield following his £36m arrival from RB Leipzig in 2021.

It has forged a formidable partnership with Van Dijk at the heart of the defense, which has seen the Premier League leaders concede just two goals in their first seven games.

Since his transfer from Germany, Konate has battled injuries, which led to Quansah being introduced into the lineup last season.

In what was his great season, the 21-year-old youth player made 33 appearances in all competitions under Jurgen Klopp.

Quansah even managed to find the back of the net twice in his 17 top-flight appearances.

And it is understood that the England under-21 international appears willing to agree terms to extend his stay beyond 2027.

Despite playing regularly last season, Quansah has found it difficult to get playing time. SlotThe guardianship of Konate and Van Dijk is due to the partnership.

He has been limited to just two matches, with his only Premier League appearance coming on the opening day of the season at Ipswich.

While talks with Quansah and Konate are positive news for Liverpool, the club is yet to make a breakthrough with Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold.

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The trio are tied up on Merseyside until the summer of 2025 and are free to talk to clubs outside the UK from January about a free transfer.

Salah has been strongly linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia next year Alexander-Arnold is believed to be in Real Madrid's radar.

Slot refused to comment on the situation of his star players in his Friday press conference before the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Asked if there was any update on the three players, the Dutchman said: “It's the same old boring answer.

“I could really understand if you asked me this once every two weeks.

“But if you ask me this again after two or three days, you will still get the same answer and people will feel that I am boring them.

“Then try again after the international break!”