19 hours ago
34
Liverpool secured back-to-back clean sheets and victories with a 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. This marks only the third time the Reds have achieved such a feat in this challenging season.
On both previous occasions, following wins against Arsenal and Burnley, then Aston Villa and Real Madrid, Arne Slot's team were unable to extend their run of shut-outs to three games.
However, now unbeaten in five matches after a streak of nine losses from 12 games, Liverpool will be hoping for a different outcome when they face Tottenham Hotspur next weekend. After impressive performances against Inter Milan and Brighton, Slot will be optimistic that his side have turned a corner as they approach the festive Premier League period.
What a difference a week can make. Just last weekend, the Reds were dealing with the fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive comments about his head coach and the club after being left on the bench against Leeds United.
Liverpool had been leading 2-0 before securing a late 3-2 lead at Elland Road, only to be held to a draw by a 96th-minute equaliser. With Slot already under scrutiny, criticism from one of his star players certainly didn't help matters - though this has now been resolved ahead of the Egyptian's departure for Africa Cup of Nations duty.
While Salah has inevitably been the main topic of conversation around Anfield since his remarks at Elland Road, Ibrahima Konate has also faced fresh criticism for his role in the 3-3 draw.
His reckless foul provided Leeds with the chance to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot, exposing Liverpool's defensive weaknesses once more. Slot later admitted that Konate has been "on the crime scene" too frequently this season following his most recent blunder.
The French international's contract is set to expire at the end of the summer, and he'll be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any foreign club from 1 January.
Despite reports from abroad suggesting Real Madrid have lost interest in the defender, the ongoing speculation and uncertainty surrounding his future have garnered little sympathy in light of such mistakes, especially with Liverpool fans still smarting from Trent Alexander-Arnold's own Bosman move to the Bernabeu.
Konate is aware of this, having admitted during the November international break that the ongoing contract saga lands him 'in hot water' with supporters. Only he can gauge the true impact it's had on him in a season marred by errors and inconsistencies.
Fortunately for the Frenchman, his latest gaffe was followed by two significantly improved performances against Inter Milan and Brighton, with the 26 year old arguably standing out as Liverpool's top defender in both matches.
Captain Virgil van Dijk was quick to commend his defensive partner after their latest win, praising Konate for his bounce-back performance following last week's error at Leeds.
"It's obviously the basis to success, to not concede chances, let alone goals," the captain shared with journalists. "Unfortunately we conceded far too many and that's the reality, but we can only look ahead, try to avoid goals, and that's what we did in the last two games.
"The season is very long and we want to keep doing that but obviously it's a lot of work that will be needed. Everyone at his best helps, everyone in the team, that's why it's a team sport.
"Ibou is a fantastic defender and obviously when the team is not performing as a collective, then we as the last line can be exposed. That happened at times as well as individual mistakes costing us, including myself at times. Unfortunately that's part of the game.
"It's how you deal with it, how you react to it. Ibou as an example has been, in the last two games, especially outstanding. He's working on things like we all do, he helps me, I help him, and that's how it should be. We are not perfect, he wants the best for the club, and I'm pretty sure that will be absolutely fine."
Van Dijk added: "I've been very fortunate at Anfield to win a lot of games and keep clean sheets and feel like there's no way a team can beat us here, and that feeling was incredible.
"Obviously the last couple of weeks we have been struggling and going through ups and downs and that's obviously difficult to take. But it's all about the hard work and confidence and the way the fans are with each other that matters.
"I think you see today but also the midweek game how much commitment there is and that's obviously a good thing for me to see as a captain."
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Whilst Konate has encountered difficulties at various points this season, fellow Frenchman Hugo Ekitike has been a standout performer for Liverpool.
The France international has now netted 10 goals this campaign, having scored consecutive Premier League doubles against Leeds and Brighton.
Given such statistics have arrived during a season where the Reds haven't been firing on all cylinders, Ekitike has undoubtedly made a favourable impression on Van Dijk.
"I think he's doing well obviously," the Dutchman said. "Very clinical, I think, great finish. The corner obviously as well. I was also behind him but he did it himself! Obviously he's important with his goals and his hard work that he put in.
"He wants more from himself and we all want a lot from him and the rest of the team. It's not been an easy season but for him to come in and produce these numbers, that's something we need, we want and he wants.
"He just has to stay calm and keep working and help himself but also the rest of the team and Alex (Isak) as well to be in their best shape. I'm pretty sure he will be fine."
English (US) ·