Virgil van Dijk’s form and leadership ability have become a key topic of debate since Liverpool started struggling.
Widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s best centre-backs for many years, the Dutchman is now facing criticism at Anfield from all sides.
Liverpool fans hit out at Van Dijk last week for his showing in the 4-1 defeat to PSV in the Champions League.
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Wayne Rooney has questioned the defender as well, suggesting he’s not leading the team.
However, Sam Allardyce has now suggested one of the stopper’s teammates has been much worse than him so far this term.
Sam Allardyce criticises Ibrahima Konate
Speaking on his No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, the former England manager commented on how poor Ibrahima Konate has been.
He said: “The other, I can’t remember the other centre-half, Konate, he has been far worse than Virgil.
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“He completely missed the ball the other day, against Forest I think was it? If you’re not there together, the pairing is really important.”
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Allardyce is the latest in a long line of pundits to question the Frenchman’s ability this season.
Jermaine Pennant thinks the Liverpool centre-back doesn’t look like a footballer at the moment
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher has said he doesn’t feel like Konate should be criticised because he has been so bad in recent weeks.
At the moment, however, Arne Slot has little choice but to keep playing the Frenchman alongside Van Dijk every week.
Will Liverpool sign a centre-back in January
Because of injuries to Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez has been moved into his less natural right-back role.
It leaves Liverpool with no other senior, natural centre-back options behind their main pairing right now.
A January move for Marc Guehi, who is due to become a free agent at the end of June, has been mooted.
However, a report this week has suggested that the Reds’ chances of signing Guehi over the winter are slim and likely depend on what happens with Konate, who is also out of contract soon.
Real Madrid don’t want the Liverpool defender, and it’s thought he remains in talks over a potential new deal at Anfield.
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