What’s Happened to Konate? Liverpool’s Big Defensive Worry | OneFootball

Liverpool Concerns Grow Over Konate’s Bad Form

The Redmen TV 2 Podcast has shone a spotlight on Ibrahima Konate’s struggles after Liverpool’s recent defensive displays. Contributors Ste, Ian and Andy expressed serious concerns over the centre-back’s performances, dissecting mistakes and raising questions about his mentality.

Defensive Errors Under Scrutiny

Andy did not hold back when describing a recent goal Liverpool conceded: “That might be the worst goal I’ve ever seen Liverpool concede. That is awful. Like it’s a big kick up the pitch that no one touches until the lad kicks it in the goal.” He highlighted Konate’s positioning, saying: “He’s so transfixed on the wrestling with Dan Burn. He does far too much wrestling with the opposition and not enough ‘this is a position I need to be in to win this header’.”

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Ian echoed the sentiment, stressing that defensive decision-making has been poor. “It just feels like decision making at times… that paints the picture of a man whose head just isn’t in the game at the moment in time,” he said.

Concerns Over Mentality and Consistency

Ste acknowledged that Konate has a history of fluctuating form, recalling his dip towards the end of last season: “Not last season, but the season before at the back end, a lot of Liverpool fans were calling for Quansah to start ahead of him… his head didn’t look there then. That is the Konate I feel is turning out for Liverpool at the moment.”

Ian also raised the emotional toll of recent events, including the passing of Diogo Jota: “He could be someone who’s being badly affected by what happened to Jota… that could be affecting them.”

Calls for Change in Defence

The panel discussed Liverpool’s need for reinforcements. Andy said: “There’s a potential for a new centre-half. We hope there’s going to be a new centre-half… he’s not somebody that plays himself into form. He needs to come out.” Ste added: “It would be nice to have a Marc Guehi… someone of a similar level you would just throw in there, take him out of the limelight.”

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Konate’s inconsistency has long been part of his profile, as Ste observed: “He’s a very streaky player. When he’s good, he’s like eight to nines all the time, and when he’s bad it’s poor. He just needs that level of consistency where I don’t always have to be at my best to play well.”

Liverpool’s Defensive Future

While there is agreement that Konate remains a talented player, the podcast made clear that his form is now a pressing issue. Ste summarised: “He’s not terrible but I do think he’s struggling right now… whatever it is he needs to get out of it because it’s not going particularly well for him.”

The contributors believe the club may need to accelerate defensive recruitment and give young defender Giovani Leoni opportunities. For now, Konate’s dip in form has become a focal point in Liverpool’s early season narrative, adding pressure ahead of key fixtures.

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