Alan Shearer rips apart Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in damning Liverpool verdict

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Alan Shearer was critical of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate during Liverpool's loss to Brighton on Saturday, after Danny Welbeck twice scored from inside the six-yard box

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate copped some flak for their performances against Brighton(Image: 2026 Charlotte Wilson/Offside)

Alan Shearer laid into Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as he assessed Liverpool's disappointing defeat by Brighton over the weekend.

The Reds were beaten 2-1 at the Amex Stadium, with Danny Welbeck scoring both goals for the home team, either side of Milos Kerkez's strike for the visitors. Welbeck was the sharpest player in the box for his two goals – which were both scored from inside the six-yard box – and that prompted criticism of Liverpool's two center-backs from Premier League legend Shearer.

"I think we were all slightly hesitant and reluctant to go overboard on Liverpool in midweek (after the 4-0 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League) because of how poor the opposition was," Shearer said.

"There was a lot more energy against Galatasaray and you’re thinking ‘let’s see that again'. But Liverpool were a mess. Van Dijk and Konate got the run around by 35-year-old Danny Welbeck. He had a field day and gave them a torrid time.

"Liverpool had no energy, no press. It was so poor and flat.

"I know Ekitike went off early in the game but there was nothing about Liverpool’s game that gives me confidence that they will finish in a Champions League position."

Meanwhile, Van Dijk spoke to reporters in the Amex Stadium mixed zone after the defeat, and revealed his frustration at his team failing to build on a positive result once again.

Alan Shearer was critical of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahia Konate(Image: Getty Images)

"Listen, I don't know what to say - I said over the last months the same thing – we can't build on a good performance," he said.

"That is something that has to change if we are to achieve what we are trying to achieve, and that is Champions League football.

"We are trying everything. We are trying to turn it around and we are hopefully going to turn a corner, but it doesn't look that way at the moment.

"Obviously we go away now to our different countries. Everyone has a responsibility to stay as fit as everyone can and come back ever better if that is possible.

"I would rather try and win games. But the next one for me is against Norway.

"That will be my focus now, but the feeling I have and the rest of the players should have is frustration, because it is the same story now. It happened again."