Liverpool star gives Arne Slot hope after BOMBSHELL result

For many Liverpool fans at the moment, it is difficult to understand the team’s performance.

Before the season started, it felt like a lot of the team’s weaknesses had been fixed with summer recruiting. Big-name players had been recruited and a remarkable amount of money had been spent on the rebuild. Our recent struggles were unimaginable.

In the first few weeks it was understandable that there were some teething problems. After all, there had been a lot of changes in the team. Cohesion was going to take some time and Alexander Isak, for example, needed to dedicate time to improving his fitness after a summer without training.

But having now recorded four defeats in a row, the latest defeat against rivals Manchester United – their first win at Anfield since 2016 – is a clear sign that something is wrong. Despite all the credit he has in the bank, Arne Slot will feel the pressure. It is her team now.

It was a difficult 90 minutes, although buried under the rubble there was at least one positive point.

Konate gives a masterclass

To claim that the Frenchman was impeccable would be a mistake, but Ibrahima Konate really managed to set a milestone this season in terms of his usual level of performance. Overall, he’s struggled to find his level in this campaign, even though we all know he’s capable of more.

Against United on Sunday, he had eight clearances, four recoveries, 2/2 ground duels, 6/9 aerial duels, a big chance created as well as a key pass completed, as well as three precise long balls. It was remarkable to see him shake off his poor form and regain the fluidity we are used to seeing from him.

Of course, the performance ended in a losing effort and he still has a lot of things to work on – he was 0/2 in the tackles he was engaged in and he lost possession 11 times, which left us pretty open.

Still, given that one of the headlines for Liverpool’s defensive problems was the Frenchman’s form, it’s really nice to know that we’re improving in stages. It’s not as dark as you think.

And it’s the context behind Konate’s performance that makes it all the more impressive. This time last week we weren’t convinced he would be heading to Anfield this week, given he joined the France squad with a suspected thigh injury following the defeat to Chelsea.

He did not feature in his country’s match against Azerbaijan before Didier Deschamps sent him home to Merseyside rather than traveling with the team to Iceland. No updates were made on his overall fitness until Slot’s press conference on Friday, when he had almost received a clean bill of health.

Two pain-free sessions before the weekend meant he was fit enough to feature in the starting XI, but considering he played for 90 minutes it is remarkable that he played as well as he did.

Over the next few weeks we could see Joe Gomez slightly more involved if Konate’s fitness is less following such a heated battle with United. Overplaying him and increasing the likelihood that he will twist his thigh again would be a disaster, although cautious optimism seems reasonable.

In every other department, Slot will be concerned – and rightly so. None of the performances this season have been very convincing. In the meantime, the pressure and speculation will only get worse.

🔴 Discover the adidas home range for LFC 2025/26

👉🏻 Liverpool have a NEW right back and he is the best in the world

👉🏻 Marc Guehi ARRIVES: Liverpool to complete deal to sign England star

👉🏻 Liverpool legend’s son is now an elite centre-back