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Liverpool Analysis: Why Ibrahima Konate’s Contract Demands Urgency

In a revealing episode of the Stat Me Up on Anfield Index, Phil Barter and Simon Brundish joined Dave Davis to dissect Liverpool’s season through data and hard truths. The conversation around Ibrahima Konate was particularly compelling, blending performance analysis with a stark assessment of squad planning.

Konate Form Trend and Defensive Output

Barter did not hide from early season concerns. Reflecting on Gameweek One, he said Konate “kind of went under the radar of a poor performance”, adding that defensive metrics showed “a big line of there’s a lot of zeros in there”.

Yet the improvement has been measurable. Barter highlighted that Konate is now “actually doing some of the defending that made Ibu cycles and the firefighter because generally he likes to put stuff out”. Crucially, “there’s hardly any zeros there now”, with higher engagement in tackles, recoveries and clearances.

Trend data reinforced the eye test. “He is improving as he goes through it,” Barter explained, noting an uptick across recent matches. On threat prevention, Konate “has now generally started to pick this up again to stopping that threat at a high level”.

Last season, Barter reminded listeners, “him and Virgil were best two centre-halves in the league… as a partnership though, superb.” That context matters. Replacing that level is neither simple nor cheap.

Simon Brundish on Mental Factors and Tactical Role

Brundish was candid about the dip. “He was largely crap,” he said bluntly, adding that Konate’s “drop off was similar if not greater” than Mohamed Salah’s, with “five key errors that cause goals that cost games”.

However, Brundish pointed to human context and tactical nuance. Konate’s decision making, he argued, was “foggy”. He also questioned the structural burden placed upon him when opponents allowed him possession: “They know he’s crap at it, right? Which just heightens the pressure on him.”

This tactical stress accumulates. “He has in a game 120 moments where he could fail,” Brundish observed. That psychological toll can spiral, particularly for a defender whose strengths lie in recovery and duels rather than progressive distribution.

Photo: IMAGO

Transfer Market Reality Facing Liverpool

Here lies the crux of Liverpool’s contract dilemma.

Barter was clear. If Konate leaves, “you need to go and get a starter. Starters are not cheap.” Moreover, “bringing someone in quality from outside, how long it’s taken for players to adapt” must be factored in.

He admitted his own shift in thinking: “I personally now… am wondering… it might just be better for all parties to agree a deal.” His conclusion was pragmatic, “the more I think about it, the more it’s easier for Ibou to renew.”

Brundish’s broader injury analysis adds further urgency. When discussing centre-back availability, he noted that last season the probability of Joe Gomez and Konate being available together for every game was “0.013%.” Squad depth is theoretical without durability.

If Konate departs, Liverpool would likely require “a starter and… someone very good just under,” according to Barter. That is a significant financial outlay, especially when defensive stability underpins everything.

Strategic Importance of Securing Konate

Liverpool’s defensive analysis reveals fluctuation, but also recovery. Konate’s recent numbers demonstrate re-engagement, improved aerial success and stronger threat suppression. The underlying trend is upward.

The podcast discussion makes one point clear. Replacing Konate carries cost, risk and adaptation time. Retaining him preserves continuity in a system still bedding in under Slot.

As Barter framed it, when weighing the options, “it might just be better for all parties to agree a deal.”