18 Apr 2026 23:21:16
Konate contract done, what do we think? I’m not sure on him myself. He has his days.
19 Apr 2026 00:30:54
I'm happy if true, he's had a crap season, but who hasn't.
19 Apr 2026 04:54:38
It's another mistake by the hierarchy. Konate isn't good enough, and his wages will be way above market value for someone who was all in on going to Real Madrid while he thought there was a chance.
He hasn't just had a crap season - he's been a bit crap for years, with some good games thrown in on occasion.
19 Apr 2026 06:19:58
At least he has a sell on value if he has signed.
19 Apr 2026 06:25:46
Needs to be replaced. When he's playing bad, you know it. When he's playing good, his head is in Madrid. He will drop us like a hot stone if they come back calling, and for that reason alone we should get shot of him.
19 Apr 2026 06:41:16
He will have been at the club for 5 years at the start of July - he is a PL winner and a regular for France, and will be playing in the World Cup. I've never seen him say he wants to leave or bad mouth the club. The (made up) criticism of his motives and his capabilities as a player are just pathetic.
19 Apr 2026 07:08:40
West Derby Wanderer, spot on. He takes some criticism on here, but Van Dijk has been awful, flinging his arms around. The truth is, he doesn't want to make a tackle, it's his heading abilitie that's his strong point. I'm afraid age catches up with us all, and you can clearly see that with Van Dijk.
19 Apr 2026 07:40:04
Couldn't agree more... Sell VVD and give Konate his contract desires.
19 Apr 2026 08:38:09
Opposition teams target Konate when out of possession. They let him have the ball when he's 30 yards plus from our goal, as they know he doesn't do a lot with it and slows us down even more, and they also trigger their press on him when he receives it when close to our goal.
Unbelievably, though, our players seem to love to give him the ball. The amount of times our forwards and midfield choose to go back to him rather than forward is infuriating.
Just plays into the opposition's game plan.
{Ed001's Note - he is not helped by Virgil, who never does anything but stands and watches, instead of sprinting into a position to receive a pass. He doesn't make any effort to make angles for passes at all, same when the keeper has it, he just strolls about. At least if he moved it would give one option.}
19 Apr 2026 08:43:33
I'd rather he be replaced by someone more consistent with defending and who also has leadership qualities, since VVD will probably leave in a year.
I don't think Konate would do too well next to a young defender. He seems to need a more senior player/leader next to him, and even then he's so inconsistent.
19 Apr 2026 09:15:46
To those saying, we've protected Konate's value by giving him a new contract.
What value?
No one wanted him while he was free!
19 Apr 2026 09:21:28
Perhaps he would grow with additional responsibility. He speaks well - coherent and thoughtful when interviewed - and I think he was actually captain of France in one of his appearances. Perhaps he might step up if / when VVD leaves.
19 Apr 2026 09:43:55
Konate is constantly caught wandering and is a serial fouler. It's amazing how he hasn't seen more cards this season for pulling and grabbing hold of players. Some fouls he commits are illegal in rugby.
Notice how his form "improved" when Madrid lost interest? That, to me, shows he sees us as a stepping stone. As soon as Leoni is fit, I would drop Konate, at the least.
19 Apr 2026 10:06:43
He's had a poor season, and even when he's on form there's a donkey in him just waiting to rear its head, but I do think the club's going to try and spend as little as possible this summer, and with Leoni and Jacquet there, I would like to see the bulk of our funds going towards wingers and a solid midfielder.
As poor as we've been at the back, we've been 10x times worse in the middle and going forward. I think a solid DM in front of the back line (and a new manager) would seriously improve the defensive situation.
19 Apr 2026 10:28:32
I'm ok with it, you have to have some continuity.
Next season I'm hoping, with a new coaching set up, we give some youngsters a chance.
Leoni and Jacquet as rotational central defenders.
Kerkez is young and established.
Get Bradley fit as RB.
I want to see McConnell given a chance as a rotational option in midfield with Nyoni.
Some of these young lads could fill a squad role without us splurging loads on journeymen.
19 Apr 2026 08:51:12
Ed001 agree mate. When Konate gets it the opposition use it to get their players into defensive shape as they know he'll hold it for an age before making a 5 yard pass.
Players like Virg need to move to get it off him early to get that ball moving. Would also help if we stopped giving him the ball all the time like he's our playmaker.
{Ed001's Note - it drives me mad that, particularly when it is thrown back to him 50 yards from a throw in on the edge of the opposition box!}
19 Apr 2026 10:52:44
Konate not good enough!!!! So how was he good enough under Klopp?
Yes, he has had a poor season, but not all down to him. Other factors to blame, like the set up by the head coach, the system by the head coach, players around him off the boil. And the loss of his beloved father. People forget this. We all know how we have all felt at the loss of Diogo Jota, so Konate has had to deal with both losses.
So, let's take things into consideration before we make rash statements. I have had a go over Konate and the way he has been performing, but thinking what has happened in this man's life in such a short time made me realise it was not Konate, it was me being selfish, blaming him when I was 100% wrong.
And I apologise to Konate. YNWA.
{Ed001's Note - he was never good enough under Klopp, which is why Matip was first choice over him. Klopp never trusted him either. He was the weak link all last season.}
19 Apr 2026 10:56:37
Not for me, Konate. I think if he has signed it is because we keep losing players on a free. If he has another season like this, we can sell him on.
19 Apr 2026 11:19:01
@Strom if Konate has signed, it prolly due yo what you have saind in addition to the notion that the club have not seen a CB thay can sign to replace him in the open market.
As for Konate himself, he has his faults and we all know what those are. However, the system he is in this season (where he is having to help in build-up while being pressed with no passing options) are making his faults even more palpable hence, the panic he shows in situations where he should not be panicking hence, his head goes and has had bad games.
Now when you add Ed01's observation has said about VVD going walk-bout in many situations hanging him out to dry (we can literally see this happening in games) then, we should not be surprised about his immense struggles this season.
Konate can always get better (he has a solid season last season) but with what has happened to all the players this season, they can all get better including Konate.
Not with this manager, tho.
19 Apr 2026 12:52:59
I don't mind him, he's no world beater, but as long as he has competition, then that's fine. The issue is when you look to the squad for cover, and we have Gomez, usually injured. That's the biggest issue for me.
19 Apr 2026 15:04:55
Oli, I agree with all that, n the midfield leave the CBs wide open, but it's his basic mistakes he makes most games, esp this year, that bother me. Let's hope the new manager can see the changes we need n improve the defence inc Konate.
19 Apr 2026 16:29:08
If there is a new manager cos, clearly, it seems it's all honky-dorry with Slot in charge for the two clown above him, per "reports".