'Disoriented': £36m Liverpool player gets blasted after disappointing international display last night

09/07/2024 03:15 AM

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate earned a rare start for France as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against Italy in the UEFA Nations League.

Les Blues took an early lead through Bradley Barcola, but goals from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori spearheaded Luciano Spalletti’s side to a comeback win at the Parc des Princes.

Starting alongside William Saliba in central defense, Konate failed to replicate his early season form for Liverpool under Arne Slot as France fell to a crushing defeat at home.

And the French media didn’t pull any punches as they delivered grim verdicts on his performance.

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate endures bad day at the office

Eurosport suggested that Konate sadly emerged as a net negative as he deputized for Dayot Upamecano at the back for France.

“We have known him to be much more bloody in his interventions and more focused in his placements.

“He left Tonali too much time for the equalizer and left the field open to Frattesi for the second goal.

“Overall, he weakened the structure with very approximate placements. In short… Disoriented.”

Goal France weren’t as critical of the Liverpool defender but gave him a rating of four out of 10, saying: “Lined up in place of Upamecano, the Liverpool defender was relatively neutral.”

“But that’s not what was asked of him. He should instead show confidence in his role. His complicity with Saliba is far from obvious.”

Foot Mercato rated Konate’s performance three out of ten, pinpointing exactly what went wrong for the towering defender.

“Back as a starter in the French team, Ibrahima Konaté was reassuring in his interventions, but sometimes had trouble with his positioning, alongside Saliba.

“On the equalizing goal, we felt he was having a little trouble marking. Same thing on the second goal conceded, where he was behind Frattesi.”

Konate was given a Sofascore rating of 6.4, making him the lowest-rated French player alongside midfielder Youssouf Fofana.

What next for Konate?

Despite his underwhelming outing for France, Konate has enjoyed a strong start to the season at Liverpool.

Signed for £36m from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021, the Frenchman has delivered assured performances for Liverpool more often than not when fully fit.

Kylian Mbappe once referred to Konate as a ‘super’ player, which is a massive show of faith from one of the best players in the world and his national team captain.

With his current deal set to expire in 2026, Konate has been linked with a move to PSG.

However, Slot seems to trust him and if the defender proves his fitness this season, Liverpool will look to tie him down to a new contract.