Liverpool struggled to contain Chelsea in a huge clash at Anfield, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk coming under fire for their displays in the race for Champions League qualification.
Luke Thrower Trends Writer
14:54, 09 May 2026
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC
Ibrahima Konate has been slammed during his display for Liverpool against Chelsea(Image: (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images))
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has slammed Ibrahima Konate's performance during the clash between the Reds and Chelsea, having spotted a moment between the French defender and his center-back partner Virgil van Dijk.
It came as the home side took an early lead through Ryan Gravenberch at Anfield, but early dominance was soon wiped out by Wesley Fofana's deft touch from an Enzo Fernandez free kick.
The momentum firmly shifted in favour of Chelsea, as the Liverpool backline was put under pressure time and again, putting both Konate and Van Dijk to the test.
Warnock questioned the former of the pairing in particular, when giving his assessment on BBC Radio 5 Live, as he said: "There's no pressure on the ball, there's no intensity, they look lost in the system as Chelsea come forward. Chelsea have dominated the ball.
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"Chelsea players have got the run of Anfield at the moment. The line is really deep from Liverpool's point of view. Konate drops all the time, he's petrified of the ball in behind him.
"Him and Van Dijk are constantly arguing about the bravery of how to hold the line, and Konate is not strong enough to do it."
TOPSHOT - Chelsea's Spanish defender #03 Marc Cucurella (L) vies with Liverpool's French defender #05 Ibrahima Konate during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 9, 2026. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
It was another game where the Liverpool defence was under pressure, with Chelsea cutting through the midfield and accessing the backline with ease.
That was evident in the goal that was eventually ruled out, with Marc Cucurella picking up space between the defenders before sliding in Cole Palmer for the strike.
Fortunately it was ruled out, and Liverpool was able to see out the rest of the game without conceding, despite the Chelsea dominance.
While the draw eventually added another point towards the Champions League qualification race, many of the home fans left with more questions than answers about their side.
Arne Slot was booed by the Liverpool supporters after substituting Rio Ngumoha off in the second half, while a loud chorus of boos erupted once again at the final whistle.
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The head coach faces two huge matches to secure a top-five finish and a return to the Champions League, but he faces some wider dilemmas in getting everyone on the same page.
There is a difficulty in getting the right balance, with Konate and Van Dijk not necessarily playing to their strengths by pushing high, but by dropping deep there are bigger spaces for the opposition to exploit.
Slot may be running out of time to find the answers, with the questions still mounting on him and his tenure at the club.