'Big problem': Jamie Carragher slams Liverpool star who has 'gone missing' this season | OneFootball

Reds legend left confused by one player’s approach in latest Premier League defeat by Manchester City

Jamie Carragher has strongly criticised Ibrahima Konate after the Liverpool defender’s struggles continued against Manchester City.

The French international has long since been established as one half of the Reds’ first-choice centre-back pairing alongside influential captain Virgil van Dijk, but has come under fire for a number of shaky performances so far this season.

The latest of those came on Sunday as out-of-sorts Liverpool’s already dwindling hopes of retaining their title were dealt another massive blow in a dismal 3-0 loss away at City - their fifth defeat in the last six Premier League games and fourth in succession away from home for the first time since 2012, swiftly halting any momentum built after consecutive wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid.

Konate was partly to blame for the early penalty awarded to City - both conceded and saved by goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili - and given a rather torrid time by the in-form Erling Haaland, who outjumped him for the opening goal at the Etihad Stadium just before the half-hour mark as he powered home a header from Matheus Nunes’ right-wing cross.

“Konate was heavily involved in the penalty again and he’s having a really tough time. I feel like we say this week after week,” Carragher said on Sky Sports, also criticising Van Dijk’s role in not helping to stop the delivery into the box as he sought to switch places with Andy Robertson and left Liverpool exposed down their left side.

“Look at Haaland’s jump compared to Konate. He’s done this thing where he’s trying to flick the ball on, which as a defender is a last resort.

“He’s not even off the ground and he’s trying to flick it on. Go and get up as high as you can, look at Haaland and head that ball away.

Battle: Ibrahima Konate struggled notably against the prolific Erling Haaland during Liverpool’s defeat by Manchester City

REUTERS

“I don’t understand at all what Konate is trying to do. There’s been no real impact from Haaland and he’s trying to flick it on. Haaland gets a little bit of luck, maybe he deserves that luck the season he’s had, he’s been absolutely fantastic.

“But Konate again, when Liverpool concede a goal or a problem, is at the heart of it. And he’s got a big problem away from home.

“A lot of his big performances this season - against Manchester United he played well, Real Madrid in midweek he played really well, Arsenal earlier in the season he played really well.

“But away from home, which is when you need your centre-backs if you’re going to get results, too often this season he’s gone missing.”

Konate is the latest Liverpool player to have entered the final year of their contract at Anfield, with no agreement over an extension yet reached.

Carragher recently insisted that the Reds would be “absolutely fine” in the event that the 26-year-old leaves Merseyside next summer on a free transfer.

“I’d like him to stay but if he doesn’t stay, Liverpool will sign someone else. Liverpool won’t fall apart if Konate leaves,” Carragher told the Daily Mail.

'He's not Virgil van Dijk. He's a good centre-back who you hope will sign, but if he doesn’t want to sign, Liverpool will be absolutely fine.

“He's a very good centre-back, he's a title winner at Liverpool, he's played in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. He's obviously a quality centre-back.

“It's not poor management [if he goes for free]. You can't physically make somebody sign a contract. Then it's your decision, do you keep him to the length of his contract or do you sell him?”