The two problems created by Ibrahima Konate’s surprise Liverpool exit

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When Ibrahima Konate went off in the 89th minute, the temptation was to assume it permitted Joe Gomez a fine outing in Liverpool red.Their longest-serving player has a year left on his contract, but admitted he is unsure if he will remain at the club. And while Konate ranked on the lengthy list of Liverpool’s underachievers this season, their problems have been compounded.Ibrahima Konate had appeared set to stay at Liverpool (PA Wire)They have bought two centre-backs who they deem the best young players in their position in Italy and France, in Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet respectively.

They have one game in English football between them, which ended in the former Parma player being stretchered off with a cruciate ligament injury which might mean he is not fully fit for the start of the season.Then there is Gomez, no stranger to injuries himself; if he had a flawless fitness record, the Englishman may have begun more often when Konate was in indifferent form. Konate’s have wavered somewhat but his age made him crucial in Liverpool’s succession planning.And, yet again, the task for the summer after they spent £450m has grown.

There are times this season when it seemed Liverpool would scarcely miss Konate; at Leeds in December, in comments that were soon overshadowed by Salah’s, Slot admitted that the Frenchman was “too much at the crime scene” as his mistakes multiplied. In five seasons, he has had two very good campaigns: his first in 2021-22, culminating in him playing in the Champions League final, and Slot’s first, in 2024-25, when Konate believed his partnership with Van Dijk was the best in Europe.Perhaps that informed his salary demands and it will be instructive where Konate lands next; perhaps not a club of Liverpool’s level.