Arne Slot is not sold on Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has expressed doubts about Ibrahima Konate’s place in his plans, raising uncertainty over the player’s future. Since his return from the summer break, Slot has only had a brief period to assess the 25-year-old centre-back, but the initial impressions have not been favourable.

According to Football Insider, Slot is not convinced by Konate’s performances in training and matches. This sentiment is partly based on an analysis of his gameplay and his inconsistent availability due to injuries. Konate’s injury record has been a concern, as he missed eight games last season and 15 games in the 2022-23 season due to various muscle injuries.

Arne Slot is not sold on Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate.

Konate made his first appearance under Slot in a pre-season match against Manchester United in the USA, which Liverpool won 3-0. Despite the victory, Konate faced criticism from fans who labelled him a “liability.” This performance, coupled with his injury history, has not helped his case with Jurgen Klopp’s successor. The German has always held a high opinion of Konate and there is work to be done before Slot joins the same crowd.

The Frenchman’s recurring injury issues have been a persistent concern for Liverpool’s backroom and medical staff. His inability to maintain consistent availability has disrupted the team’s defensive stability, making it difficult for him to establish himself as Virgil van Dijk’s first-choice partner.

Since joining Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021, Konate has made 90 appearances and contributed to the club’s FA Cup and League Cup victories. However, his injury problems have prevented him from building momentum. Last season, Jarell Quansah and Joel Matip often replaced him, with Konate featuring in only 37 of the possible 58 games.

Slot has questioned Konate’s ability on the ball and remains unconvinced about his suitability for the new system being implemented at Anfield. This uncertainty casts a shadow over Konate’s future with Liverpool, as he may need to prove his worth to fit into Slot’s plans.

Towards the end of last season, Konate was frequently left out of the starting XI, particularly after a poor performance in a 2-0 defeat against Everton in April. This led to him being substituted after 63 minutes and not starting the last four league matches despite being available. He also spent the majority of Euro 2024 on the bench for France. Hopefully, he will rectify it and return to his best in the coming weeks.

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While Konate has shown flashes of brilliance, his persistent injury issues and inconsistent performances have hindered his progress at Liverpool. Slot’s concerns are understandable, given the need for reliable and adaptable players in a high-pressure environment like Anfield. Konate faces a crucial period where he must demonstrate his value to the new manager and the team. If he can overcome his injury woes and adapt to Slot’s system, he could still play a vital role in Liverpool’s defence.