Nobody watching Liverpool’s Premier League fixture on Saturday will have been surprised at how the game’s opening goal came about.
Ibrahima Konate has been at the scene of the crime far too often this season, and added yet another monstrosity to the list at Anfield.
The Frenchman initially did well to get back into position as Nottingham Forest counter-attacked.
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What came next, however, was an inexplicably poor moment which completely swung the tide of the match.
With Liverpool starting well and on top, Konate somehow shanked the ball out of play for a corner-kick under little pressure. The pass back to Alisson Becker was a simple one, as was an easy ball out for a throw-in.
Instead, Konate took a heavy touch which ran out of play at the Anfield Road end. You just knew Forest would score, and they did. Once again, Liverpool’s No. 5 let one mistake lead to more and more. It should be the end of his career with the Reds.
Ibrahima Konate on the ball during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Liverpool should exit contract talks with Ibrahima Konate
As Rousing The Kop exclusively revealed earlier in the week, Liverpool continued in contract talks with Konate during the November international break.
However, there is seemingly no agreement in place just yet, and with that ace up their sleeve, the Reds should now withdraw from those discussions.
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Konate showed once again against Forest that he is absolutely not the answer at centre-back for Liverpool.
Whether he is already checked out mentally or not, his performance simply have not been good enough. He has been costing Liverpool in the micro and macro game after game.
Should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?
Arne Slot following Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
In the current situation, Arne Slot unfortunately cannot afford to drop Konate. Joe Gomez is the only other centre-back available and the England international has looked off the pace this season as well.
But make no mistake, while he will play many more matches for Liverpool this term, Konate’s career at Anfield is very much over.
Liverpool should look to Murillo
Just as Konate was turning in another shambolic display on Saturday, Forest centre-back Murillo was showing exactly what Liverpool are missing in defence.
Not only did the Brazilian tuck home a brilliant effort in front of the Kop, he played brilliantly throughout.
Liverpool have been linked with Murillo in the past, and it would not be a surprise if they come back in for him in the coming months.
Indeed, with Konate virtually certain to go, the Reds need to act in a big way. Murillo is the kind of addition who could bring security and stability back to the defence.
In the meantime, Liverpool are simply going to have to manage. The mid-season arrival of Marc Guehi could mitigate things somewhat, but it is clear that things will not improve massively until Konate is out of the team. Unfortunately, that could still be way off yet.