Jamie Carragher has not held back in recent weeks with his criticism towards some of Liverpool’s stars.
The Reds are not having the season they would have imagined right now, as they find themselves eight points off the top already.
All-round performances have been way off the standard, but some individuals have struggled more than most, and they have not got away with it either.
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Ibrahima Konate is one who has had a tougher start to the season than most, with Carragher being someone who has been very critical of him.
However, ex-Red Djimi Traore has defended Konate online, with the former defender hitting back at Carragher’s comments.
Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC.
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
Djimi Traore defends Ibrahima Konate
One of the reasons why Konate has been getting so much flak online is because he is still yet to sign a contract, with his mistakes perhaps highlighted more than most.
However, there is no denying he has been poor and that sometimes he has been rightly pulled up on it, with Carragher someone who has been the most vocal.
Against Man City, he commented on a few of his mistakes, while even saying beforehand that Liverpool would be able to cope if Konate left, with all these things something Traore has disagreed with.
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“My dear friend Carragher. Normally I agree with your opinion most of the time about football in general but this time I disagree about you pointing out Ibou Konate’s performance,” he said on X.
“Last year he was one of the best CBs in premier league. This season all of the Liverpool team has underperformed.”
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Konate was, arguably, at fault for City’s opening goal, while also having a tough time up against Erling Haaland throughout, but in all fairness most would.
Djimi Traore is right to some extent
The reason why Traore is right is because sometimes Konate has been scapegoated, mainly due to his contract situation.
He has been poor, but perhaps not as poor as what has been made out, with Liverpool’s defence not being helped out by those in front.
The midfield has been a little too open which has left them exposed more often than not, with both Konate and Virgil van Dijk having to do more work as the consequence.
Konate’s performances should not be let off by any means, but perhaps he deserves to be cut some slack given the dire situation the entire squad is in right now.