© IMAGO – Arne Slot Ruben Amorim 2024-25
Many Liverpool fans find it challenging to understand the team’s current performance.
As the season began, there was a sense that the team had addressed various weaknesses during the summer transfer window. Big-name signings and substantial investments suggested an exciting rebuild, making the team’s recent struggles seem unthinkable.
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Initially, a few issues were expected, especially considering the significant squad changes. It was reasonable to anticipate some time for the team to develop cohesion, particularly for individuals like Alexander Isak, who needed to regain fitness after a summer away from training.
However, witnessing four consecutive losses, including the recent defeat to Manchester United – their first victory at Anfield since 2016 – clearly indicates that something is amiss. Although Arne Slot has earned considerable credit, he will begin to feel the mounting pressure. This squad is now his.
The match was difficult to endure, but amidst the disappointment, one positive stood out.
Konate Shines
While it wouldn’t be accurate to say Ibrahima Konate was flawless, he certainly made a statement this season about his performance standards. Despite struggling to find his form, he showcased what he’s capable of against United on Sunday.
During the match, he recorded eight clearances, four recoveries, achieved 100% success in ground duels, won 6 out of 9 aerial duels, and even created a significant scoring opportunity. It was great to see him reclaim the fluidity expected from him.
Unfortunately, this performance came in a losing battle, and there are areas for him to improve, such as his 0/2 tackling accuracy and 11 instances of lost possession, which left the defense exposed.
Nonetheless, considering one of the narratives surrounding Liverpool’s defensive issues was Konate’s form, it’s encouraging to see progress being made. Things might not be as dire as they seem.
The context surrounding Konate’s performance makes it even more remarkable. Just a week ago, there were doubts about whether he could even play at Anfield due to a suspected thigh injury from the Chelsea match.
He missed the national team’s match against Azerbaijan before Didier Deschamps returned him to Liverpool rather than allowing him to travel to Iceland. Concerns about his fitness remained until Slot’s press conference on Friday, where he received a less than reassuring update.
However, after completing two pain-free training sessions before the weekend, he was deemed fit to start. Considering he played the entire 90 minutes, his performance was truly commendable.
In the upcoming weeks, we might see Joe Gomez getting more opportunities if Konate’s fitness is in question after such a vigorous match with United. Rushing him back into action could lead to more injuries, which is a risk we should avoid, although there is some reason to remain cautiously optimistic.
In other aspects, Slot has valid concerns. None of the performances this season have felt particularly convincing. Without significant improvement, the pressure and speculation are likely to intensify.
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