Virgil van Dijk has expressed his desire to have the "world-class" Ibrahima Konate partnering him in Liverpool's defence next season. 

Konate, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021, will see his contract with the Premier League champions expire at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. 

He has made 165 appearances for the Reds in all competitions and has played a huge role in helping the club win four major honours, including last year's Premier League title. 

Indeed, the 26-year-old has also won 325 aerial duels in the top-flight since arriving on Merseyside, a total only bettered by Van Dijk's 604, with the pair forming a fine partnership. 

And while there has been little indication that an agreement between the two parties is imminent, Van Dijk is hopeful a resolution can be found in the coming months. 

"We are friends, we speak about everything," Van Dijk said. "It's a process, and let's see what comes out of it. It's never that easy.

"We saw with my situation last year, so it's never that easy that we can just say 'let's get it done'.

"It's a process, and let's see what comes out of it. Obviously, I want him to stay. He's an important figure on the pitch.

"That's what everyone sees, but off the pitch as well, he's one of the leaders. He's outstanding and, in my eyes, a world-class centre back.

"I can only do so much, but it's in the club's hands, together with his agents and himself, so let's see what comes out of it, but I have no influence on that. There's always hope."

Van Dijk's comments came after Liverpool ended Sunderland's unbeaten home league run on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light. 

The Dutchman scored the only goal in the 61st minute, but it was his and Konate's imperious showing at the back that helped Arne Slot's side to a huge away triumph.

Van Dijk finished with team-high totals for aerial duels won (eight) and clearances (13), while only Alexis Mac Allister (five) attempted more tackles than Konate (two). 

It was a result that saw Liverpool take advantage of Manchester United and Chelsea's draws, moving them to within three points of Michael Carrick's side in fourth. 

The Reds are handed a 33.6% chance of finishing in the top four, and Van Dijk accepted his team would have to battle their way to a Champions League spot next year. 

"If you look at the teams around us, some of them dropped points. I think we're going to play most of them, so we definitely need some perfection," Van Dijk added. 

"[It] was pretty close to perfection, how we defended, the intensity and also the chances we generated, and maybe we should have scored, but it's still game by game.

"Unfortunately, we've got Wata [Endo] out now – hopefully not too long, but it could be. We're very thin at the moment.

"We need everyone available, but it's a combination of being ready, physically and mentally.

"For example, last game losing in that way at home, and you have to be strong to come back from that. That's why I'm proud of the guys today and the shift they put in.

"It's an important three points."