Ibrahima Konate slammed as Peter Crouch points finger at two Liverpool players vs Brighton

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Peter Crouch pointed the finger when analyzing Brighton's first goal against Liverpool with Ibrahima Konate in the firing line after Danny Welbeck found the back of th net

Ibrahima Konate was outmanoeuvred by Danny Welbeck for Brighton's first goal (Image: Getty Images)

Peter Crouch slammed Ibrahima Konate for his lack of strength in defending Danny Welbeck for Brighton's opening goal against Liverpool.

The reigning Premier League champions travelled to the American Express Stadium in Saturday's afternoon kick-off but suffered an early disadvantage with Hugo Ekitike being forced off with a suspected leg just eight minutes in.

Just six minutes after the Frenchman was substituted off for Curtis Jones, the home side took the lead through a header from Welbeck. In a fairly simple sequence of play, a cross into the box was met by Diego Gomez who nodded it back across the six-yard box where Welbeck successfully fought off Konate to easily head it in.

It was a nervy half from the 26-year-old who has struggled at times this season and he was the topic of discussion at half-time during TNT Sports' analysis of the opening goal of the game.

Crouch took aim at the lack of strength from the French defender as well as criticizing Florian Wirtz for his part to play in the goal. The ex-Liverpool striker said: "Really poor goal from a Liverpool perspective.

"Wirtz doesn’t get out, the sloppiness from the start, even that from Konate. He’s a big center-half, he’s got to be stronger there at the back post." Crouch's sentiments were echoed by Steven Gerrard who lamented the carelessness from his former side.

"Really poor goal from a Liverpool perspective. Wirtz doesn’t get out, the sloppiness from the start, even that from Konate. He’s a big center-half, he’s got to be stronger there at the back post."

Ibrahima Konate took the brunt of the criticism for Danny Welbeck's opener(Image: AP)

"They don’t defend, they’re passive on the side of the pitch, they don’t get out to the ball to stop the cross early enough. We spoke about this in the Tottenham game.

"It’s a really quality, deep delivery from, fantastic header from Gomez, and Danny Welbeck just uses his experience, like Crouchy used to, he just leans on Konate and just unsettles him, then he gets up above him and scores a tap-in."

Brighton only had the lead for 14 minutes before Milos Kerkez lobbed Bart Verbruggen from close range thanks to a major error from club captain Lewis Dunk.

Danny Welbeck netted a brace against Liverpool(Image: PA)

Despite the score being leveled, it was the home side that had the momentum heading into the second half with the ex-Manchester United striker scoring his 12th league goal of the season with a tap in.

The goal ended up being the decider with Brighton moving up to eighth in the table while Liverpool are now without a win in their last three league games.