Ibrahima Konate has been called out by former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher, who has claimed the Frenchman makes mistakes every time he takes to the pitch in what has been a challenging season
Ibrahima Konate has endured a difficult season
Ibrahima Konate has endured a difficult season
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Jamie Carragher claims that Ibrahima Konate is "making a mistake every game" - and that is impacting on how people see Virgil van Dijk.
The Frenchman has long been the skipper's centre-half partner but has endured a difficult campaign, which comes as Konate's future remains unclear with his contract winding down.
Konate endured another difficult evening as Liverpool were outclassed by PSG in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final. The Parisians were dominant and, arguably, should've won by a greater margin than their 2-0 victory as they continued to cause the Merseysiders problems.
Liverpool changed tact and went with a back five, starting Konate, Van Dijk and Joe Gomez as part of a central defensive trio. PSG were still able to create numerous changes and Carragher took aim at the French defender, citing him as constantly error-prone.
He said on CBS Sports: "People have criticised Van Dijk for his performances this season but I think it’s been harsh. I think he plays every game, the fella next to him has been awful all season and poor again tonight.
"Konate, makes a mistake every game, so that’s not easy to play alongside, so I still think he’s been one of Liverpool’s better players, Virgil van Dijk. But tonight in that back three I have never seen him [Van Dijk] so uncomfortable in a Liverpool shirt in my life."
The Liverpool defender has already copped it from Carragher this term with the pundit citing issues in his game after a major error in a humbling defeat at the hands of PSV earlier this year. He said: “Konate, it’s getting to the stage now where you actually feel you shouldn’t criticise him because you’re watching something that’s actually not nice to watch, when you’re watching a player go through something like this. I’ve never thought he was top class, but he’s just going through an absolute nightmare.”
Jamie Carragher believes Virgil van Dijk has been impact by the Frenchman's form
Jamie Carragher believes Virgil van Dijk has been impact by the Frenchman's form
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Konate is still to pen a new contract at Anfield, albeit reports claim an extension is closer than ever. The likes of Real Madrid were previously linked but the defender is keen to have his future wrapped up before this summer's World Cup. Slot remains determined to keep him, even if he does acknowledge the costly mistakes he's made.
The Dutch coach said: “His general performances were good but then a small mistake he made immediately led to a goal and so he was judged differently. But he is having a very good partnership with Virgil since I’ve been here and, just like Virgil, he has always been fit. Touch wood. These two are vital for us."
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