Liverpool are reportedly growing anxious about the possibility of losing Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid this summer, following critical remarks from manager Arne Slot directed at the centre-back.
The Reds began their Premier League campaign strongly, securing victories in their first five matches following their title-winning success last season under Slot’s guidance. However, their form took a nosedive with three consecutive defeats to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, and Chelsea.
Problems have been evident throughout Liverpool’s midfield this season, and their revamped defensive line has struggled to match last year’s stability, leaving fans underwhelmed. Full-backs Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, and Jeremie Frimpong have come under fire for their performances, but it is Konate who has faced the harshest criticism.
Konate, who was substituted off injured against Chelsea after 56 minutes, was reportedly considered for tactical replacement by Slot even before sustaining injury. Slot remarked, “If you’re losing a game, it doesn’t help if you lose the ball several times very easily. Konate has been one of them, though not the only one.”
Spanish sources claim Slot’s comments towards the French international have intensified Liverpool’s concerns about his potential transfer to Real Madrid for free in the coming summer. Efforts to secure a contract extension for Konate remain unfulfilled, fuelling speculation about a move to the Bernabeu.
Former Liverpool player Conor Coady, discussing Konate’s situation on BBC’s Monday Night Club, attributes the defender’s struggles to tactical changes under Slot, saying: “He’s getting a bit of stick at the start of the season… He’s having to play a different way now.”
Coady explained that, due to tactical adjustments, Konate is being deployed in a right-back role, citing the absence of key defensive partnerships as well as positional changes involving other players like Szoboszlai and Conor Bradley.
Meanwhile, Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand suggested that the transfer rumours with Real Madrid have exacerbated the level of scrutiny on Konate: “It’s only because of the interest from Real Madrid, and there’s going to be disgruntled fans or people in the media that support Liverpool who are going to now start pointing the finger and blaming him.”
Ferdinand added that any minor errors on the pitch now manifest into greater criticism due to the current situation.
As the Reds consider roster adjustments, the Konate saga continues to be one to watch closely, amid managerial critiques and evolving tactical demands.
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