Ibrahima Konate‘s carelessness triggered another Liverpool collapse, and Arne Slot accurately described the defender as being “a bit too much at the crime scene.”
Konate’s season has been riddled with individual errors and on seven occasions this season has been subbed off, the majority of the time while Liverpool have been left to chase a result.
The Frenchman’s high-profile mistakes have not been enough to keep him out of the starting lineup as there are few options to replace him, a huge regret from the summer.
And the draw at Leeds again saw Konate become a target for supporters as his reckless sliding tackle on Wilfried Gnonto saw a comfortable 2-0 lead surrendered for a chaotic 3-3 draw.
In his post-match press conference, Slot was asked how concerned he was about Konate’s form.
He said, “Unfortunately for him, he does a lot of things well, but he has been a bit too much at the crime scene, that is something I’ve heard people saying before in England.
“So that means that he’s been involved in goals we’ve conceded, but if you are a centre-back that happens in football.
“Today, it was a tackle that came from effort. He tried to do everything to block the cross. The ball went out, the player already went down a little bit, and then there was contact.
“That was obvious and clear, that there was contact. Now, the question is, should VAR have interfered for that?
“A lot of people will say that’s correct, but these same people should look at some games we’ve played this season where the VAR didn’t come in moments like this.”
You cannot argue the intervention of VAR and Slot cannot hide from the fact that his player was reckless in his decision to give the Leeds attacker the opportunity to go down under contact.
It was another moment to forget for the out-of-contract Frenchman, who recently saw reports emerge that Real Madrid have now pulled out of the running to sign him.
Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with an interest, though it was stated Konate is undecided on whether to stay at Anfield or depart as a free agent.
Liverpool’s chances of signing Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi was close to joining the Premier League champions before a £35 million deal fell through on deadline day, and The Athletic‘s David Ornstein reported that “any suggestion that switching to Anfield is a formality would be wide of the mark.”
The Reds are keeping their cards close to their chest when it comes to a possible move in January, by which point Guehi can speak with clubs outside of England regarding a free transfer.
Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Man City are credited as admirers, and the England international is looking to compete to win the Champions League.
Guehi has featured for Crystal Palace 22 times this season and has one goal and four assists.