Jamie Carragher blasted a Liverpool star’s efforts as ‘shocking’ on the back of the Reds blowing a two-goal lead to nearly draw their first match of the new Premier League season.
Defending champions Liverpool appeared to be on their way to a comfortable opening day victory when Cody Gakpo added to new signing Hugo Ekitike’s opener, but Bournemouth had other ideas in what was a shaky showing from Arne Slot’s men.
Antoine Semenyo – who was subject to alleged racist abuse earlier on in the game – scored a brace, and super substitute Federico Chiesa had to come off the bench to net a third just minutes before full time, and Mohamed Salah sealed it with a fourth.
Still, following on from their Community Shield penalty shootout defeat, Liverpool looked poor at the back, and Carragher highlighted that on commentary during Sky Sports’ coverage of the game.
He picked out one particular player for criticism in the form of centre back Ibrahima Konate. Konate struggled for Semenyo’s goal, first standing off the forward before deciding to close him down – but not getting close enough.
‘What is Konate doing?’ Carragher asked. ‘Oh my God. He’s been absolutely shocking tonight, Konate.’
Jamie Carragher said Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate was ‘shocking’ against Bournemouth
Carragher made the claim after Liverpool blew a two-goal lead – before eventually winning 4-2
Konate had appeared to suffer a small injury just minutes earlier, and Carragher had already called his positioning into question in an attack just before.
He lined up alongside Virgil van Dijk at the back, with the Reds captain signing a new deal towards the end of last season.
Read More
EXCLUSIVE Every away day in the top four divisions ranked from worst to best – who comes out on top?
Anfield’s chiefs have now reportedly turned their attention towards renewing Konate’s contract, with the centre back now having entered the final year of his five-year deal.
Konate, so far, has turned down Liverpool’s contract extension offers – attracting the attention of Real Madrid who are in the market for a defender.
Eager not to allow Konate to run his contract down and leave on a free transfer next summer, Liverpool have tabled a new and improved bid in the hope of tying him down at Anfield, according to Foot Mercato.
Joe Gomez was Liverpool’s back-up centre back on Friday night, with Liverpool taking their spending spree to £321million after signing centre half Giovanni Leoni for £26m on Friday.