Konate was outstanding against Sunderland this week as he returned to his best self in a Liverpool defence that has leaked 35 goals in 26 Premier League games this season.
However, just as he gets back to his best, many are reminded that the Frenchman’s contract expires at the end of the season.
Van Dijk, who grabbed the winning goal against Sunderland, spoke on Konate and how important he is to the champions who recently agreed a deal for Jeremy Jacquet in what could be a replacement.
"We are friends; we speak about everything. It’s a process and let’s see what comes out of it. It’s never that easy.
"We saw that 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 center-back.
"I can do only 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. I have no influence otherwise on that."
Reports in Spain and England suggested Konate would join Real Madrid in a move that looks to have collapsed, hurting Konate’s relationship with Liverpool in the process.