Breaking news: Arne Slot, live from Anfield, does not think well of Konate’s performance in practise and games.

According to reports, Arne Slot, the new head coach of Liverpool, has not been completely won over by Ibrahima Konate during preseason training. After the legendary Jurgen Klopp left the position for the 2024–2025 season, Slot took over, and since then, he has witnessed his club play well in friendlies against elite opponents like Manchester United and Arsenal.
It seems, though, that not every player has left a lasting effect on the Dutchman. Slot has reportedly voiced reservations about Konate, which has raised new questions about the French defender’s future at Anfield, according to Football Insider. Although Konate, who paid £36 million to join Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021, has shown glimpses of promise, his progress has been impeded by injury.

He made 37 appearances in all competitions last season, but he only started 17 Premier League games, which raised questions about his consistency.

Slot is apparently worried since he hasn’t had much time to work with Konate since the team returned from summer break. Based on preliminary evaluations from both practices and games, Slot is unsure about Konate’s suitability for Liverpool’s defensive scheme. These suspicions have been heightened by the player’s erratic availability and apparent limitations when it comes to the ball.

Due to this circumstance, there has been conjecture that Liverpool would give priority to acquiring a new central defence before to the transfer market closing. Slot seems ready to expand his defensive options as he tries to reorganise the club to his preference, given that Van Dijk’s future is also unclear.