Konate unlucky as Van Dijk statement made
Ibrahima Konate might still be celebrating his role as the one who helped France win a thrilling second World Cup if it weren’t for Emiliano Martinez’s outstretched leg.
Instead, the center-back received a stern reprimand for the reasons why Liverpool has now lost seven straight Premier League contests without recording a clean sheet.
Ivan Toney of Brentford is a dangerous striker, so his absence would undoubtedly have been welcomed. However, as was the case in the previous season’s match, the home team presented plenty of other problems for the Liverpool defense, particularly on set-pieces.
And it was Konate who unintentionally put the nail in the coffin of this miserable evening, first when a corner missed by Ben Mee struck him at close range before dribbling over the line for Brentford’s opening goal, and then in the dying seconds when his slip allowed Bryan Mbeumo to in for their game-winning third.
Konate, who was Liverpool’s finest defender, truly deserved better, especially during a chaotic first half in which Virgil van Dijk battled.
Even with a muscle ache, it was nevertheless quite a statement when the Dutchman was substituted by Joel Matip for the second half, which saw the Reds’ defense look much more mature.
Perhaps his own World Cup exertions finally caught up with Van Dijk. But while the mainstay is far from finished after a rare blemish, Konate’s overall display underlined why he is the future of the Liverpool defence.
Ox and Keita take chance but Elliott needs break
Jurgen Klopp would contend that his team has already been playing for its future before this desperate performance.
However, some people’s needs are more urgent than others. And while finding positives from this game will be nearly as challenging as stopping a Brentford corner, at least two players offered cautious encouragement.
Alex Oxlade-perseverance Chamberlain’s as a temporary left winger since the start of the season was rewarded with a superb header for Liverpool’s goal, and Naby Keita, who was introduced at halftime, gave energy and forward drive for a while.
But the following highlights the fact that both are now expected to leave when their contracts expire at the conclusion of the season. For the first time in almost three years, Oxlade-Chamberlain was starting three straight league games as he made his 100th Premier League appearance for Liverpool. Keita, on the other hand, was making just his fifth appearance of the year.
While the pair merit another chance in the upcoming weeks, Klopp would be smart to remove Harvey Elliott from the fray after his involvement in Brentford’s entirely avoidable second goal highlighted his immaturity. The child requires a break.
Painful truths for Liverpool
Less than halfway through the Premier League season, one obvious fact exposes Liverpool’s sharp decline in quality.
In order to finish second to Manchester City the previous season, Jurgen Klopp‘s team surrendered 22 points, but they have already conceded 23 this time around.
That’s partly because the Reds have already lost 10 of their last 17 games in the top level, according to another dismal figure.
And despite all the discussion of defensive lapses and midfield issues, Trent Alexander-cross Arnold’s for Liverpool’s goal was his first assist of the year, underscoring the fact that the Reds aren’t taking advantage of their opportunities. How different it may have been if Ben Mee had not cleared Darwin Nunez’s early attempt off the line.
a little perspective With 21 games left in the Premier League, Klopp’s team is still only six points out of third place.
However, this setback hurts. Liverpool’s immediate response will be extremely instructive because the following two top-flight games are against Chelsea at home and Brighton & Hove Albion away. Reds, what do you have?