Liverpool backed to let first-team starter leave after he left Arne Slot ‘raging’

Liverpool’s season has already been filled with tension, drama, and emotional highs and lows. But now, a storm is brewing inside Anfield, and it circles around one of their first-team defenders, Ibrahima Konate. The French international, once seen as Virgil van Dijk’s heir and long-term partner at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, is now fighting for his future. And the most worrying part for him? Liverpool are no longer hiding the fact that they are ready to let him go.

This saga has been building for weeks, and the trigger that lit the fire was Liverpool’s painful 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. A match that should have been controlled and managed slipped away, and the spotlight immediately turned to certain players who had underperformed. Florian Wirtz, the £110 million signing meant to give Liverpool creativity, was criticised for fading when the team needed him. Alexander Isak, the £125 million striker signed to solve the scoring problem, was accused of wasting chances. But no player faced harsher scrutiny than Ibrahima Konate.

Up against Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, Konate looked exposed. The Palace striker bullied him, dragged him out of position, and turned what should have been a routine defensive job into a nightmare. As the final whistle blew, murmurs began to grow. Could Konate still be trusted? Could Liverpool rely on him to stand firm in the biggest games?

Inside the dressing room, reports say Arne Slot was furious. He may not have raised his voice in public, but privately he was “raging” at Konate’s performance. Slot is a manager who demands intensity, concentration, and consistency from every single player. He knows that to fight for the Premier League title and the Champions League, he needs defenders who can be flawless under pressure. Konate, once considered one of Europe’s brightest young centre-backs, is now being accused of showing the opposite—errors, lapses, and inconsistency.

Former Manchester United and Blackburn scout Mick Brown, a man with deep connections in the game, revealed what many had already started to whisper: Liverpool are prepared to let Konate leave. His words carried weight because Brown had already hinted in the summer that Liverpool were chasing Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace captain, as a potential replacement. Liverpool’s failed move for Guehi was the only reason Konate remained a key figure. But with Guehi set to be available on a free transfer at the end of this year, Liverpool sense their chance to complete the deal they missed.

“Liverpool are ready for Konate to go,” Brown explained in an interview. “Of course, they will need a replacement, and that’s why Guehi has been their priority. But if they can secure the right defender, Konate will be allowed to leave. He has been miles off it, and the manager was furious after Palace. You cannot win titles with defenders making those mistakes.”

The words cut deep, but they reflect reality. Konate’s form has not matched the expectation. Injuries, inconsistency, and a failure to dominate games the way Van Dijk does have left the Frenchman exposed. Real Madrid are circling, sensing an opportunity. The Spanish giants have already contacted Konate’s camp, and with Liverpool softening their stance, the possibility of him leaving Anfield grows stronger by the day.

For Liverpool supporters, this news feels shocking but not entirely unexpected. They have watched Konate since his arrival from RB Leipzig. At times, he has looked unstoppable—quick across the ground, strong in the air, and calm in possession. But those moments have been overshadowed by frustrating spells where he looks shaky, loses focus, or gets caught out of position. Fans have defended him for years, pointing to his youth and potential, but patience is wearing thin.

Arne Slot faces a crucial decision. Right now, his senior centre-back options are limited. Virgil van Dijk remains the captain and leader, but at 34, he is not the long-term solution. Joe Gomez, while reliable at times, has struggled with injuries and inconsistency himself. Giovanni Leoni, the young defender, is sidelined with a serious injury. That leaves Konate as one of the only experienced defenders in the squad. Yet, Liverpool are still leaning towards replacing him, which shows just how deep their concerns have become.

Marc Guehi is top of the list. Liverpool tried to sign him in the summer, but Palace refused to sell. Now, with Guehi’s contract situation in limbo, Liverpool believe they can bring him in, possibly even on a free. Guehi has grown into one of the best defenders in the league, combining strength, pace, and leadership. Many at Anfield believe he is the perfect successor to Van Dijk, and the thought of a Guehi-Van Dijk partnership excites fans.

But Liverpool are not only looking at Guehi. Reports suggest they are considering up to five centre-back options, planning for the worst-case scenario if Konate leaves and injuries strike again. Slot knows that defensive stability is the backbone of any successful side. He has seen how Manchester City have built their dynasty on a strong backline, and he knows Liverpool cannot afford to fall behind.

For Konate, this is a crossroads moment in his career. Real Madrid’s interest will tempt him. The idea of playing at the Bernabeu, under the lights, in front of one of the most passionate fanbases in world football, is something almost no player can resist. And if Liverpool no longer show faith in him, why wouldn’t he accept a move? But the reality is harsher: Madrid will not take him as their leader. He will be one of many, fighting for a place. At Liverpool, he had the chance to be the next great centre-back. At Madrid, he risks becoming just another option.

Slot’s anger after the Palace defeat shows the pressure on Liverpool right now. The club have invested heavily this season, spending £125 million on Isak, £110 million on Wirtz, and strengthening across the pitch. The fans were told this was a squad ready to fight for the title. But the reality so far has been mixed results, inconsistency, and disappointment. Every weak link is magnified, and Konate has become the latest target.

Liverpool supporters are divided. Some believe Konate deserves more time, that one poor game at Palace should not define him. Others argue that the warning signs have been there for too long. They point to past mistakes in big games, to his struggles with fitness, and to the fact that he has never fully stepped out of Van Dijk’s shadow.

The January transfer window now looms as the next turning point. Liverpool are expected to push hard for a new defender. Guehi is the dream, but others are being considered. If a deal is done, Konate could be sold, and Madrid are waiting to strike.

It is rare for Liverpool to let go of a player they once considered part of their future. But Slot is ruthless. He did not come to Anfield to rebuild slowly; he came to win. And if that means replacing a once-promising defender, so be it.

The image of Konate walking off the pitch at Selhurst Park, head down, body language heavy, may end up being symbolic. It could be remembered as the moment Liverpool decided they had seen enough.

For now, Konate remains a Liverpool player, training at Kirkby, wearing the red shirt, and trying to prove himself. But everyone can feel the shift. The supporters sense it, the media are reporting it, and rivals are watching it unfold. A story that started with excitement when he signed is now heading towards an uncertain ending.

Anfield has always demanded the best. From Van Dijk to Sami Hyypia, from Jamie Carragher to Alan Hansen, Liverpool centre-backs have been warriors, consistent, dependable. Konate’s story is not finished yet, but unless something dramatic changes, it may not have the ending he once dreamed of.

As the weeks go by, as January approaches, the question becomes sharper: will Ibrahima Konate fight his way back into Liverpool’s future, or will he walk out of Anfield’s gates with regret, heading for Madrid as Liverpool turn to a new leader? The answer will define not just his career, but also Liverpool’s hopes of building another great team under Arne Slot.