Former red defends Konate’s form

Coady explains Konate form issues amid Liverpool struggles

Konate under the spotlight

Ibrahima Konate has found himself at the centre of debate among Liverpool supporters. His form has drawn attention during a difficult start to the club’s Premier League title defence, where nine goals have been conceded in the opening seven matches and three consecutive defeats have raised questions across Anfield.

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The French defender, who has partnered Virgil van Dijk in every league and Champions League outing, is facing scrutiny from fans and pundits alike. For a player of Konate’s calibre, the bar is high, and when Liverpool wobble, eyes turn quickly to the back line.

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Coady’s insight into positional challenges

Former England international Conor Coady, a product of Liverpool’s own academy, has offered his perspective on the matter. Speaking on the Monday Night Club, Coady said: “I look from a centre-back’s point of view and Konate is getting a bit of stick at the start of the season, let’s be honest. But you’ve got to remember he has got to play a different way now. What I mean by that is that he’s having to defend in the channel now because Frimpong or Conor Bradley are out of position or Szoboszlai is out of midfield. Team exploited that channel and Konate has got to go out and defend and I’m telling you now, from a centre-back’s point of view, you do not want to go out there and defend as a right-back. It’s hard, there’s a reason you’re not out there, you’re not quick enough.”

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Coady’s analysis touches on one of the key tactical adjustments under Arne Slot’s system. The aggressive positioning of full-backs such as Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong has left Konate with vast areas to cover. That defensive exposure has been exploited, especially during transitions, where Liverpool’s shape becomes stretched.

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Defensive structure under pressure

Coady further explained: “Trent would go into midfield but I always thought he was there. He got a lot of stick for his defending but now there’s no full-back in position and whenever the ball is on transition, the space is vacated so Konate is having to defend in the channel with a massive space. I’m telling you now, no centre-back wants to defend there and there’s a reason you play centre-back and not right-back.”

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The comments highlight a wider defensive imbalance rather than a personal decline in form. Konate’s athleticism remains among Liverpool’s strengths, yet being dragged into full-back areas undermines his natural positional instincts.

Long-term solution ahead

Liverpool’s back line needs consistency and rhythm. As the tactical structure settles, Konate’s form could stabilise too. The Frenchman’s quality has never been in doubt, but Coady’s remarks underline that even elite defenders struggle when the system around them is in flux.