Former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman minced no words about Reds centre-back Ibrahima Konate's performance in the 1-0 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg defeat at Galatasaray on Tuesday (March 10).
While both teams had an equal share of possession, Arne Slot's side had more shots on target (6-5) but couldn't make them count, with Mario Lemina's seventh-minute strike proving to be the winner at Rams Park.
Konate won two tackles, made five clearances and a last-man tackle and blocked one shot, but he was also dribbled past once and committed an error leading to a shot (all stats as per Sofascore). In fact, both Konate and his central defensive partner, captain Virgil van Dijk, were at fault for Lemina's strike from a corner.
Van Dijk was guilty of failing to block Victor Osimhen's initial header, while Konate showed poor positional awareness as Lemina headed in the winner by slipping behind the Reds defence.
"They were also really vulnerable at the back which I haven’t seen for a while," McManaman said on TNT Sports (via Metro). "Anything that went into the penalty area, they looked as if they were going to concede.
"I think Konate had a night that he should quickly forget really because he looked at sixes and sevens for a lot of the evening."
Konate nearly conceded a second just past the hour mark as Noa Lang set up Osimhen, but the effort was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
The Frenchman had a chance to atone for his defensive lapses by scoring Liverpool's equaliser, but VAR came to Galatasaray's rescue as they held on for a narrow win in Slot's 100th game in charge of the Reds.
"We had enough chances to score" - Liverpool boss Arne Slot after defeat at Galatasaray
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot - Source: Getty
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot - Source: Getty
Liverpool manager Arne Slot rued his team's profligacy in front of goal following their 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray in midweek in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League first knockout round.
The reigning Premier League winners had lost at the same stadium by a solitary goal earlier in the league phase, with Victor Osimhen's 15th-minute penalty proving to be the difference between the two teams.
"We had multiple chances to score," Slot told UEFA (as per the BBC). "After 10-15 minutes you expect us to lead and then their first attack leads to a set-piece goal. Last time it was a penalty. And another disallowed goal from us, so a lot of similarities (with the league phase meeting)."
Expressing belief that his team can turn the tie around in Anfield, he added:
"You play two games against each other and now it's half-time, they're 1-0 up. We can do better, I'm 100% sure about that. But even with the game we've just played, we had enough chances to score goals.
"We didn't but next week we play at Anfield and our fans will be so supportive for us. I think that was today the situation for Galatasaray. They had great support from their fans, it was difficult for us to play in. Let's hope we can create the same atmosphere next week at Anfield."
Liverpool next take on Tottenham Hotspur at home in the Premier League on Sunday (March 15) before hosting Galatasaray in the Round of 16 second leg three days later.