28 May 2025 13:45:36
I think Slot has doubts about Konate in many ways, injuries and ability wise. there are games he's been atrocious this season against Everton and some few other games. And Slot always look to sacrifice him when we are chasing points and play Gravenberch on few occasions like our last game. I won't be surprised if Slot is seriously looking for a centre back.
28 May 2025 13:56:26
Konate has played 2,565 minutes out of a possible 3,420 in the Premier League this season (75%) .
Of the 38 games, he was unavailable for 6 of them (in Dec 24) with a knee injury so his potential minutes drop from 3,420 to 2,880. He was an unused sub against Chelsea (after the league was won) . So of available games, he played for 2,565/ 2,880 = 89%.
I don't disagree that we may seen Konate go and be replaced this window (albeit my gut feel is that he will sign a new contract), but if he does it will be because of not agreeing to sign a new contract rather than Slot not liking him for whatever reason.
Konate has been by far and away the most used CB after Virgil by Slot and together Virg and Ibou have the 2nd best goals conceded record in the EPL (41 goals vs Arsenal's 34) whilst as a team we have the best goals scord record by a long way.
The stats don't seem to back up your opinion.
28 May 2025 14:20:09
I think Konate will sign a new deal after his comments the other day. He said that the rumours he of what he was asking for were totally fake, as are the rumours that he's rejected an offer. He's essentially said his agent is working on it, and met with the club last week. He said he had personal goals to win everything here and become a leader and went on to add "I am very happy because we have won the Premier League trophy and and we have to enjoy it, have a rest and hopefully next season will be better than this. "
If he wants to stay, he'll stay. Whilst I don't rate him that highly myself, I disagree with you on Slot's thoughts. Slot clearly trusts him and picks him for every major game if he's fit. He only missed about 4 or 5 games last season. You can't ask for much more than that. Players like Virgil and Salah who can play 90 minutes for 50-65 games without injury are just absolute freaks.
28 May 2025 15:01:45
I like Konate and especially his personality.
When you see the videos behinds the scenes on training and when the players are around the cafe he just seems very suited to us and gets on with everyone really well by the looks of things.
Ideally he stays and signs a new deal but we would still need to bring in a CB in any case and let Quansah go. He just doesn't fill me with confidence I'm afraid.
28 May 2025 15:10:14
I’ve never been a fan of Konate. That’s being very kind, I’ve often called him Sakho 2.0 Bambi on ice.
But I must admit, that lad has improved under Arne Slot this season.
We’ve still seen glimpses of being wildly out of position, weak in duels, and awful on the ball.
But even I have to say it how it is, Liverpool don’t win that 20th league Title without Ibou.
28 May 2025 15:19:25
I think people are underrating Konate. We have the best defence in the league besides Arsenal - but for the most parts arsenal has been playing with 4 cb and a dedicated defensive midfielder. Then you also have to take into account that Konate also has to cover for trent while also covering his own position. And yes he has had bad performances, but who in the league is better than him besides Virgil? Gabriel from Arsenal is the only one who comes to mind.
I think it is crucial the we keep konate if we want to win titles next season. changing 3/ 4 of a defence and also expecting to win titles is a bit optimistic.
28 May 2025 15:26:23
I prefer Quansah to Konate, 2shoes. However, I accept that Slot does not agree with me and in any case if he's not going to be used, then we're better off selling whilst he has a high value. We could get £25-30m right now with his stock being quite high, which helps massively towards PSR given he is an academy graduate. If he sits on the bench for another 2 years and runs his deal down to the last 12 months, we'll get absolute peanuts for him.
Konate, Virgil, Gomez and Endo is a good 4 options at CB. Especially as we seem very keen to add 1 more who is young and left footed. Murillo, Hato, Lukeba or Hincapie would do nicely, but I do not think they're linked to Konate anymore. It never really made sense why we were being linked to left sided CB's if Konate was the one leaving.
{Ed001's Note - how on earth can you prefer Quansah? He can't defend and is worse positionally, more prone to errors, sleep walks through games and is weaker and slower. If he wasn't an academy product, he would be nowhere near the first team.}
28 May 2025 15:29:52
Picked by Slot for most games. What choice did the manager have? Quansah or Gomes.
I agree about his personality in training but on the pitch he's wobbly. Yes wobbly!
Bring back Hansen and Lawrenson, ha!
Ngin.
28 May 2025 15:39:26
We have both gomez and quansah for sale so we need 2 more CBs as i don't think we have any great options in academy either.
28 May 2025 16:02:48
Redfuzz makes a good point. Konate and Virg aren't flanked by CB's like Timber/ Whyte/ Calafiori every week. Trent and Robbo have been suspect defensively all year, think this has to be taken into consideration when comparing our 2 CB's against tbe likes of Saliba/ Gabriel.
28 May 2025 15:42:02
Ed001, I just think Quansah's stronger at defending set pieces, has a better passing range, carries the ball forward with more grace, and isn't bullied as easily physically. Konate is definitely miles quicker, a much better tackler, and better positionally/ playing the offside trap though.
Ultimately, I just want the club to back the manager. And if Slot prefers Konate, I want Ibou to be given a new deal and Quansah to be moved on.
{Ed001's Note - Quansah is awful at defending set pieces, is never in place to be bullied - you have to be near your opponent for them to bully you. I just can't disagree more with your estimations of him. I think you are wearing extremely tinted red specs over him, he is not even close to good enough.}
28 May 2025 15:49:13
Akira, Wellity Lucky and Amara Nallo are the standout academy CB's but I don't think either will be good enough for Liverpool long term if I'm brutally honest. Hopefully I'm wrong though.
28 May 2025 15:54:19
I agree with you in the main, Adam, but even I can see that Quansah is not a patch on Ibou. I did think, during last season, that he was showing some real promise. However, as the season has worn on, I struggle to see him making it with us, for the reasons that Ed001 has said.
I agree that now is the time to sell, we will get a decent fee for him.
28 May 2025 15:58:58
About a year ago, Ed1, I remember saying I genuinely believed there was a player in Quansah, while you felt otherwise and suggested we should sell. Looking back now, I’d have to agree with you - I don’t think he’s quite at the level required for Liverpool. I was hoping he’d prove himself, but it’s clear now that he’s unlikely to make the grade. We should look to get what we can for him.
MK, it’s a bit puzzling that you’d prefer him over Konate mate but football’s all about opinions, and we all see the game differently. Last year I'd of agreed with you.
Regarding Konate, I rate him. I se him signing a new contract and be a key figure at the heart of our defence for at least the next few years. I just hope he signs a new contract soon otherwise it makes things very difficult for us and after the Trent ordeal we don't need a repeat.
28 May 2025 16:24:30
Mk . Come on Konate is 10 times the player the Quansah is . I wasn't sure if it was April 1st. I had to check the calendar.
28 May 2025 16:53:32
Quansah Is absolutely terrible. He literally make a big mistake very game because he’s sleeping or in the wrong position. He has the right size but that’s about it. Am not convinced by Gomez either but I’d take him over Quansah any day. Any half good offer for him and he would be gone.
28 May 2025 18:23:19
I agree with Salah, last year I also thought we had a good CB on our hands from the academy but unfortunately not to be. I believe we will sell him and purchase another top level CB to compliment VVD and Konate who I believe will renew his contract. Whilst I also think there are some better defenders than Ibou there are not too many and certainly lots not near his level. VVD and him are a good pairing.
29 May 2025 01:58:35
I'd love us to get Hato. Looks like a top CB in the making and wouldn't break the bank.
Rotate him with Konate and Virgil when he needs a break, would be perfect.