Konate performs poorly in 4-2 win for Liverpool over Bournemouth – ‘Looks like his mind is elsewhere’ | OneFootball

Liverpool opened their Premier League campaign with a resounding 4-2 win at Anfield.

The Reds laid down the marker for the season by overcoming adversity to beat AFC Bournemouth.

Liverpool took a comfortable 2-0 lead, through Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo, but the visitors found their way back into the game, equalising through Antoine Semenyo.

However, Liverpool refused to stay down and found a winner via substitute Federico Chiesa.

Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah speared in a late dagger to seal a memorable win.

Still, one cannot ignore that brief capitulation from the Premier League champions.

The defensive lapses that led to the Semenyo brace were diabolical, and many deserve scrutiny for their part.

Unfortunately, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate stuck out like a sore thumb.

He was meant to be an experienced head familiar with Arne Slot’s system, but he looked like a fish out of water.

The Express gave Konate a 4/10 rating and said, “Similarly to the Community Shield final, the defender looks like his mind is elsewhere.

“Poorly positioned on several occasions and almost played his side into trouble with some stray passes.

“Caught out by David Brooks’ pace for the Bournemouth goal and bizarrely refused to engage with Semenyo as he beared down on goal for the second.”

The 26-year-old won only two of his four duels and misplaced the three long passes he attempted.

Konate has been linked with an exit from the Merseyside outfit this summer, with Real Madrid tracking the French defender.

There are reports that Los Blancos could submit a bid for the Liverpool ace this summer or wait to take him on a free transfer next year, a la Trent Alexander-Arnold.

His latest performances will not endear him to the Anfield faithful, and the transfer noise surrounding him won’t help.

If he cannot quickly rediscover his composure and authority, Konate risks becoming more of a distraction than a defensive pillar.

For a side with Liverpool’s ambitions, that is a dangerous place for any player to be.