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Jamie Carragher has slammed the early-season performances of Ibrahima Konate and Milos Kerkez that have underpinned Liverpool’s shaky defensive displays in the first three matches of the new campaign, with Mohamed Salah also in the firing line.
The Reds have conceded two goals in each of the games against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Newcastle United, the last of which came when facing 10 men. It has been a jittery opening to the season for the champions, not helped by a lack of consistency in the right-back role.
Only Virgil van Dijk has emerged with any real credit, although even the Liverpool skipper had an off-day in the Community Shield.
But it’s Konate, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer, who is causing concern. He was at fault for Antoine Semenyo’s equalizer against Bournemouth, missed a vital header before William Osula’s goal at St. James’ Park, and has looked lethargic in the first weeks of the new season.
The Frenchman’s passing has also been subpar and, in his post-match assessment on Monday, Carragher was highly critical of Konate.
“There are people for Liverpool who have made a really poor start to the season,” claimed the ex-Liverpool defender.
“Mo Salah is one of them, even though he has got a goal and an assist. Konate is another one. He has been all over the place.
“I want my center-back to go and win that [challenge for Newcastle’s equalizer],” he added, speaking on Sky Sports. “He was all over the place last week. He is more interested in grabbing his arm. He was really poor in the first half as well. He is not at the races at all.
“I absolutely shudder to think where Liverpool would be without Virgil van Dijk who has been absolutely outstanding.
“At one stage I remember Anthony Gordon winning a header against Konate in the first half and thinking ‘that can’t happen’.”
As for Kerkez, he also lost an aerial duel against Bruno Guimaraes, which resulted in Newcastle’s first goal at St James’ Park.
The Hungarian struggled against his former side Bournemouth last week and was also singled out by Carragher.
“Kerkez has made a really poor start to his Liverpool career, the 47-year-old claimed. “He found it really difficult against Bournemouth in the first game; he was a little bit nervous.
“He was up against [Anthony] Elanga today - not easy - but this isn’t enough,” he said, reviewing footage of Guimaraes’ header. “You’ve just got to go and head the ball. He’s almost trying to stop the player.
“That is really, really poor. He’s not the biggest but you’ve got to jump, you’ve got to challenge in that situation.”
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