Konaté’s Redemption: How Liverpool’s French Defender Got His Mojo Back

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté has reclaimed his form and confidence after a challenging period at the club. His re-emergence as a key figure in Arne Slot’s squad has not gone unnoticed, and the French international’s recent performances have left many wondering what sparked this dramatic turnaround. As James Pearce of The Athletic highlighted, Konaté’s resurgence has been fuelled by a combination of factors, from tactical adjustments to increased self-belief, making him an essential cog in Liverpool’s machine this season.

Konaté’s Moment of Lightness After Wolves Clash

Following Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Konaté was in high spirits, even if he didn’t win the man of the match award. He had assumed the accolade would be his, particularly after scoring his first Premier League goal in three years. But it was his teammate Ryan Gravenberch who claimed the honour, much to Konaté’s light-hearted confusion.

“How is this possible? Today I scored and stopped one or two balls, and I didn’t deserve it? What happened?” Konaté laughed, before congratulating his teammate. “Congratulations my brother. Who decided? Gary Neville?!” Konaté continued his playful protestations, “You have to talk with him! It’s fine… I’m very happy for Ryan. He’s unbelievable and playing with full confidence.”

Despite his jovial demeanour, there was more than a hint of truth in Konaté’s belief that he had been a central figure in Liverpool’s win. He scored the opener and played a vital role in helping the Reds defend their lead after Mohamed Salah’s penalty had restored Liverpool’s advantage. However, as head coach Arne Slot pointed out, Konaté’s costly error had allowed Wolves to equalise earlier in the match. “Maybe he forgot that moment when we conceded a goal,” Slot remarked. “To say the least it was avoidable.”

Konaté’s Road to Redemption

Konaté’s humour belies a deeper truth: he is regaining his confidence after a tumultuous end to last season. His form had dipped so significantly by April that he lost his starting spot to youngster Jarell Quansah.

During that period, Konaté endured several disappointing performances, including being bullied by Gianluca Scamacca in the Europa League quarter-final against Atalanta and struggling in the Merseyside derby against Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Konaté didn’t feature in Liverpool’s final four matches of the 2023/24 season, a clear indicator of his loss of form.

Virgil van Dijk, ever the supportive captain, remained in Konaté’s corner, reminding him of the levels he could reach. “Ibou is a fantastic player who still can be better,” Van Dijk stated after Liverpool’s victory over Wolves. “As you saw, he is important with the goal. He is defensively solid, a bit unlucky with the goal we conceded, but obviously the qualities he has are outstanding in my opinion.”

This support from Van Dijk and the tactical adjustments implemented by Arne Slot have allowed Konaté to return to his best. Slot’s arrival brought a fresh start, and Konaté found his name at the centre of internal discussions about players with untapped potential. Slot’s management, combined with a less intense training regime, seems to have benefited Konaté, whose fitness has been a recurring issue. So far this season, Konaté has managed to stay fit, and his ability to build up momentum has been evident in his performances.

Physicality, Duels, and Distribution

Konaté’s performances have improved not only defensively but also offensively. He broke his long goal drought with a header in last month’s Champions League victory over AC Milan at the San Siro, and then again against Wolves. “Ibou is important for us in both boxes,” Slot remarked recently, highlighting Konaté’s aerial threat. It’s not just his goalscoring prowess that has caught the eye, though. Konaté has won 29 of his 39 duels (74 per cent) in the Premier League, an impressive stat that demonstrates his dominance in defensive situations.

His aerial ability has also been a major asset, winning 22 out of 26 aerial duels (85 per cent), a crucial factor given Liverpool’s reliance on set-pieces for both defensive solidity and attacking opportunities. Aaron Briggs, one of the coaches working closely with Liverpool’s centre-backs, has been instrumental in maximising Konaté’s aerial threat. His distribution has also markedly improved. Konaté has completed 370 out of 408 passes (91 per cent) so far this season, indicating that he’s becoming more comfortable in possession. His long-range passing, particularly, has been key to Liverpool’s transitional play, as seen in his assist for Luis Diaz in the win over Bournemouth.

Tactical Adjustments Benefitting Konaté

Slot’s adjustments to Liverpool’s defensive structure have also played a major role in Konaté’s resurgence. By asking Trent Alexander-Arnold to remain in more orthodox right-back positions, rather than constantly drifting into midfield, Slot has reduced the amount of ground Konaté has to cover. The result is that Konaté is less exposed defensively and can focus on doing what he does best – winning duels and snuffing out attacks.

Additionally, Konaté has benefited from the increased protection offered by new signing Ryan Gravenberch, whose ability to hold onto the ball and retain possession in tight spaces has relieved some of the pressure on Liverpool’s defence. The partnership with Van Dijk has been solid, with both players returning to something resembling their best form. “He is learning, growing, getting better and looking after himself much better in order to be ready every three days as that’s what’s asked,” Van Dijk said, speaking to reporters after the Wolves game.

Konaté’s Growing Influence at Anfield

As Konaté continues to build confidence and consistency, it’s clear that Liverpool’s defence is becoming stronger as a result. His error against Wolves aside, Konaté has been an essential figure for Slot this season. With his fitness issues seemingly behind him and Slot’s system suiting his game, the Frenchman is finally becoming the player Liverpool expected when they signed him from RB Leipzig for £36 million in 2021.

However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Konaté at Liverpool. His appearances have been limited by injury, and he has only managed 97 appearances (84 starts) in all competitions since his arrival. But with his contract set to expire in 2026, there will be discussions at Anfield about extending his deal to keep him at the club for the long term.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Konaté’s resurgence is a source of great excitement. It’s been frustrating to watch a player of his immense potential struggle with injuries and form, but under Slot’s guidance, Konaté seems to be getting back to his best. His powerful performances in both boxes and his aerial dominance have made him a fan favourite once again, and many supporters are eager to see how much further he can improve.

Slot’s tactical adjustments have been a breath of fresh air for the entire team, but Konaté, in particular, has flourished. The extra protection in front of the defence, combined with the more structured role for Alexander-Arnold, has allowed him to focus on his strengths. Fans will be hoping that Konaté can stay fit and continue to build on his strong start to the season.

With his confidence restored, there’s every reason to believe that Konaté can establish himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League. His bond with Van Dijk is growing stronger, and if Liverpool are to challenge for titles this season, they will need Konaté at his dominant best. The Frenchman’s redemption arc has been one of the most positive storylines for Liverpool this season, and fans will be hoping that it continues.