Liverpool star gives Arne Slot hope after BOMBSHELL result

Many Liverpool fans are now finding it difficult to understand how the team is performing.

Before the season began, it seemed that many of the team's shortcomings had been addressed through summer recruiting. Famous players were signed and a significant amount of money was spent on restoration. Our recent difficulties have been unimaginable.

In the first few weeks, you may realize that there are some teething problems. Eventually, there was a lot of staff turnover. Cohesion took some time to develop and Alexander Isak, for example, needed to spend time working on his fitness after a summer away from training.

But the fact that we are now seeing four defeats in a row, with the latest defeat coming at the hands of rivals Manchester United – their first win at Anfield since 2016 – is a clear sign that something is wrong. Despite all the loans he has from the bank, Arne Sloth will feel the pressure. His his team now.

It was a tough 90 minutes, although buried under the rubble there was at least one silver lining.

Konate conducts a master class

It would be wrong to say that the Frenchman is impeccable, but Ibrahima Konate has really managed to set a marker this season for what his usual performance standards should be. By and large he has struggled to find his level this campaign, although we all know he is capable of more.

Against United on Sunday he had eight clearances, four recoveries, 2/2 doubles, 6/9 aerial duels, a big chance created and a key pass made, as well as three accurate long balls. It was wonderful to see him shrug off his poor form and regain the fluency we are used to seeing in him.

Of course, it was a losing performance and he still has some work to do – he went 0/2 in the tackles he did and lost possession 11 times, which left us quite open.

However, given that one of the headlines for Liverpool's defensive problems has been the Frenchman's form, it is great to know that we are gradually improving. It's not as bleak as you think.

And it's the context of Konate's speech that makes it even more impressive. This time last week we weren't sure he'd even make it to Anfield this week, given he'd joined the France squad with suspected hip injury from the defeat to Chelsea.

He missed his country's meeting with Azerbaijan before Didier Deschamps sent him home to Merseyside instead of sending him with the team to Iceland. There were no updates on his overall fitness until Sloth's press conference on Friday, when he received little if any conclusive evidence of his health.

Two pain-free sessions before the weekend That meant he was fit enough to start, but knowing he played the full 90 minutes it's surprising he did so well.

In the next few weeks we may see Joe Gomez a little more involved if Konate is less prepared as a result of such a bitter battle with United. Overplaying him and increasing the likelihood that he will re-injure his hip would be disastrous, although cautious optimism seems reasonable.

In any other department, Slot will be concerned – and rightly so. None of the performances this season have been convincing. Until they do this, the pressure and speculation will only increase.

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