The Faltering Star at Anfield: Ibrahima Konaté’s Season Review
Not the end to the season that he or us really wanted. As the 2023/2024 football season wraps up, it’s time to dive into the performance of one of Liverpool’s centre back talents, Ibrahima Konaté. With a significant presence in the defensive line, Konaté’s journey this season has seen various highs and lows. Let’s break down his season in four key sections: headline numbers, biggest high, biggest low, and overall thoughts.
Headline Numbers
Ibrahima Konaté has been a crucial part of Liverpool’s defensive setup this season. He has made 37 appearances across all competitions, amassing a total of 2,587 minutes on the pitch. As a centre-back, it wouldn’t be fair to just measure Konaté’s impact in terms of clean sheets by how open Liverpool have been this season. Konaté’s contributions have primarily been in the Premier League, with 22 appearances. His performances in the Europa League, EFL Cup, and FA Cup also highlight his overall importance to the squad.
Biggest High
One of Konaté’s standout performances this season was during Liverpool’s away match against Sheffield United. In this game, Konaté, paired with Virgil van Dijk, formed an impenetrable barrier, leading to a clean sheet. His highest rating of the season came in this fixture, earning an impressive 8.63 from WhoScored.com. This performance solidified his reputation as one of the top young defenders in the league, demonstrating his potential to become a mainstay in Liverpool’s defence. There was a period that despite any claims, you’d argue he was the second best defender in the league.
Biggest Low
However, the season hasn’t been without its challenges. Konaté’s lowest point came in the match against Arsenal, where he was sent off and had a dismal day. His performance in this game earned him a lowly 5.57 rating. Another notable low was during the Merseyside derby against Everton, where Liverpool and the French def Der were simply abysmal. Konaté was substituted after a poor showing, contributing to his team’s defeat. These matches were a stark contrast to his otherwise solid performances and highlighted areas where he needs to improve.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, Konaté’s season has been a mix of solid performances and areas needing improvement. With only two years left on his contract, Liverpool’s management, including Michael Edwards, faces a decision regarding his future. Despite his potential, his season has again been marred by injuries, affecting his consistency and availability. Additionally, the emergence of Jarell Quansah has added competition for the centre-back position and he has work to do under Arne Slot if he does stay.
Looking ahead, Konaté needs to focus on maintaining his fitness and improving his consistency. The upcoming UEFA European Championship is an excellent opportunity for him to showcase his abilities on the international stage with France. However, for reds the immediate focus will be on solidifying his place at Liverpool and a return to form next season. There’s a lot to consider with Konate right now.
