Liverpool Football Club is a team built on history, pride, and passion. Every season, millions of fans across the globe expect greatness from the men in red, and whenever the team shows weakness, the criticism is loud, sharp, and emotional. That was exactly the case after Liverpool’s shocking defeat at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace. It was a game that left supporters speechless, a game that exposed defensive cracks, and a game that brought Ibrahima Konate under the heaviest spotlight of his Liverpool career so far.
On a Saturday that should have been a chance for the Reds to show strength and authority, instead the team stumbled, and the mood around Anfield turned sour. Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot is still building his project after replacing Jurgen Klopp, and while there have been some bright moments, the collapse at Selhurst Park felt like a dagger in the hearts of fans. The late winner from Eddie Nketiah not only sealed Palace’s unbeaten run but also left the Reds questioning whether their defensive leader, Konate, is still the man to trust at the back.
Chris Sutton, the former Premier League striker turned pundit, wasted no time in pointing fingers. Sutton has never been shy to speak his mind, and on the Monday Night Club, his words were damning. He highlighted Konate’s weaknesses, described his season as “consistently terrible,” and argued that the Frenchman was miles off the level expected at Liverpool. Sutton’s comments did not just make headlines—they poured fuel on an already burning fire of doubt among fans.
The way Sutton described it, Konate has been “making mistake after mistake” since the season began. Against Crystal Palace, those mistakes became impossible to ignore. Jean-Philippe Mateta bullied him, dominated duels, and exposed weaknesses in his positioning. Liverpool fans, usually so protective of their players, also turned on him online. Social media was filled with frustration, disappointment, and anger directed at Konate. The same defender once seen as Virgil van Dijk’s perfect partner now looked vulnerable, fragile, and uncertain.
This was not just about one bad game—it was about a pattern that has been forming since August. Sutton made it clear that while Konate has been a brilliant player in the past, this season has been different. Instead of leading the backline with confidence, he has looked shaky. Instead of being dominant, he has been hesitant. And instead of being consistent, he has been consistently poor. Sutton’s words echoed what many fans were already thinking: Konate is not himself, and Liverpool cannot afford to carry a defender who is struggling at this level.
The timing of all this makes it even more painful for Liverpool. Konate’s contract is due to expire at the end of the year, and there is already growing interest in him from major clubs. Reports suggest Chelsea and Arsenal are monitoring his situation closely, ready to pounce if Liverpool decide to move on. In another context, Konate’s departure would have been unthinkable. He was signed to be the present and future of Liverpool’s defence, a rock alongside Van Dijk. But now, Slot may be forced to consider whether replacing him is the smarter move.
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And the name already being whispered around Anfield is Marc Guehi. The Palace defender has been outstanding this season, and against Liverpool, he delivered a performance that was impossible to ignore. Guehi not only defended with strength and intelligence, but he also grabbed the assist for Nketiah’s dramatic winner. His stats tell the story—three tackles, seven clearances, five duels won, and 35 touches. Guehi was everywhere, cutting out danger, keeping Liverpool frustrated, and showing exactly why he is now one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe.
Liverpool fans could not help but imagine what might have been if Guehi had been wearing red that day instead of Palace’s colours. Missing out on him in the summer already looks like a mistake, and with every week that passes, the regret grows deeper. TBR Football has revealed that Palace are now expecting Liverpool to make a January bid for Guehi. But the race will not be easy. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich are all lining up, ready to test Palace’s resolve. If Liverpool want him, they will have to fight harder than ever, and given how desperate their defence now looks, it may no longer be a luxury but a necessity.
For Arne Slot, this situation is a nightmare he could not have predicted. He arrived at Liverpool with hope, with a chance to build his own legacy after Klopp, but every manager knows that defence is the foundation of success. Watching Konate collapse under pressure, watching his backline carved open, and watching his team lose late on—it must have been heartbreaking for the Dutchman. Fans are now waiting to see how Slot responds. Will he stick by Konate, offering him faith and time to recover his best form? Or will he take the ruthless route, push for Guehi in January, and send a clear message that mistakes will not be tolerated?
The defeat at Palace has now become more than just three points dropped. It has become a symbol of Liverpool’s wider problems. The attack, led by Federico Chiesa, showed glimpses of brilliance, but when your defence cannot be trusted, all the hard work up front can be undone in seconds. For Liverpool, every mistake by Konate feels heavier because the margins are so thin in the Premier League. A single lapse, a single error, and the whole game changes. Against Palace, that is exactly what happened.
Chris Sutton’s criticism might sound harsh, but it reflects the truth of football at the very top level. At clubs like Liverpool, there is no room for comfort, no space for repeated errors. Fans expect warriors who will fight to the last second, not defenders who crumble when challenged physically. Sutton’s words were not just an opinion—they were a warning. If Konate does not step up immediately, he could be on his way out of Anfield sooner than expected.
The bigger question now is how Liverpool navigate the storm. The January window is still months away, and Slot needs solutions in the present. Can Van Dijk once again carry the defence almost single-handedly? Can young defenders step up? Or will Konate find the inner strength to silence his critics and prove that he still belongs at Liverpool? The Frenchman has the talent, the physique, and the history of strong performances, but football is a cruel game. Past glories mean little when current form is this poor.
Konate’s future is suddenly uncertain. Chelsea and Arsenal are circling. European giants are watching. Liverpool fans are growing restless. And in the middle of it all, Arne Slot must make a choice that could define his first season in charge. Stick with Konate, or prepare to replace him. Whichever path he takes, one truth is clear: Liverpool cannot afford many more games like the disaster at Selhurst Park.
The story is far from over. In football, redemption is always possible. Konate could still turn this around with one powerful performance, one moment of leadership that reminds everyone why Liverpool signed him in the first place. But until that moment arrives, his place in the team, his relationship with the fans, and even his contract future remain under the heaviest shadow.
Chris Sutton may have been blunt, but his message rang loud: Liverpool’s standards are too high for passengers. Konate is at a crossroads, and only he can decide whether his Anfield story ends in disappointment or redemption. For now, though, Liverpool must live with the pain of Selhurst Park, the frustration of errors, and the haunting image of Marc Guehi celebrating with Palace while they are left dreaming of what could have been.
The Premier League season is long, full of twists and shocks, but sometimes one match tells a bigger story. Liverpool’s defeat at Palace was one of those matches. It exposed weakness, ignited criticism, and forced tough conversations about the future. Whether Konate survives those conversations will define not just his own career but also Liverpool’s ambitions this season.
