Liverpool ‘fear’ exit as Slot ‘lashes out’ at Reds star but manager is blamed for ‘headline treatment’

Liverpool Football Club is going through a storm that very few saw coming. After the perfect start to the Premier League season under Arne Slot, things have suddenly fallen apart. The Reds began with five straight wins, playing free-flowing, confident football that made fans believe the title-winning momentum from last season had carried into this campaign. But in a matter of days, that energy has turned into frustration and worry. The club has now suffered three straight defeats — against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, and Chelsea — and the atmosphere around Anfield feels tense. The biggest headline to emerge from this crisis surrounds one of the team’s key defenders, Ibrahima Konate. Reports from Spain claim that Liverpool now “fear” losing him to Real Madrid next summer, following what many described as Arne Slot “lashing out” at the French centre-back. The story has spread across Europe, and it paints a worrying picture for both the player and the club.

When Slot arrived to replace Jurgen Klopp, his vision was clear — modernize Liverpool’s tactics, make the team more fluid, and introduce positional flexibility across the pitch. For the first few weeks, everything seemed to be going smoothly. The players responded well, and the results were outstanding. But football can be cruel, and sometimes one bad week can destroy months of confidence. After the recent string of poor results, questions have started to rise about Slot’s system and how some players are adapting to it. Unfortunately, Ibrahima Konate has become the main target of criticism. The powerful French defender, who has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers in previous seasons, suddenly finds himself at the centre of unwanted attention.

During the 2–1 defeat to Chelsea, Konate struggled for rhythm and was eventually substituted in the 56th minute. Many believed it was due to injury, but Slot’s post-match comments suggested otherwise. The Liverpool boss admitted that he had been considering taking Konate off for tactical reasons even before the injury happened. His exact words were sharp: “If you’re losing a game, it doesn’t help if you lose the ball several times very easily. Konate has been one of them, though not the only one.” It was a statement that sounded like public criticism, something Liverpool managers usually avoid. Spanish outlet *AS* quickly described Slot’s words as “lashing out” at the France international. They went further, reporting that Liverpool now fear losing Konate to Real Madrid in the summer, as efforts to renew his contract have stalled.

According to those reports, Real Madrid are monitoring the situation closely. The Spanish giants are planning for the future, knowing that veterans like David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger are nearing the twilight of their careers. Konate, who has always admired Madrid’s history, could be an ideal long-term signing for them. For Liverpool, however, the thought of losing him for nothing is frightening. The defender still has admirers across Europe, and his strength, pace, and composure make him one of the most respected young centre-backs in the game. But the uncertainty surrounding his contract has become a real problem. The *AS* report stated that renewing his deal “remains a wish” rather than a concrete plan — meaning Liverpool have not yet made real progress in convincing him to stay.

What makes this situation more complicated is that Konate’s recent form has dipped, not necessarily because of his own weaknesses but because of the tactical adjustments in Slot’s system. Former Liverpool defender and academy graduate Conor Coady spoke about this on BBC’s *Monday Night Club*. Coady defended his former teammate, arguing that the tactical structure is the real reason behind the Frenchman’s struggles. “He’s getting a bit of stick at the start of the season,” Coady said. “But you’ve got to remember he’s been a player who’s been there for years, and he’s having to play a different way now.” The difference Coady referred to lies in how Slot wants his defenders to operate. Unlike Klopp’s more compact and high-energy system, Slot’s approach demands that centre-backs cover wider spaces, especially when the full-backs push high up the field.

Coady explained further: “He’s lost somebody next to him. He’s having to defend in the channel because Conor Bradley’s out of position and Szoboszlai is in central midfield. Teams are exploiting that space now, and Konate’s got to go out and defend there. No centre-back will ever tell you they want to defend as a right-back. It’s hard. That’s the reason you don’t play there.” His words make sense when you look at how often Liverpool have been caught out on that right side this season. Opponents are targeting that area, knowing that with Trent Alexander-Arnold now drifting into midfield and Bradley still learning, Konate is often left alone to cover the gap.

For a defender like him, who thrives in tight defensive structures, this adjustment has not been easy. He’s been asked to defend one-on-one in wide spaces more frequently than before, which increases the chance of errors. And when mistakes happen, they become magnified — especially when the team is losing. Critics have jumped on those errors, forgetting how important Konate was in previous campaigns. Last season, he formed one of the league’s best defensive partnerships with Virgil van Dijk. Together, they helped Liverpool lift the Premier League trophy, keeping countless clean sheets. But football has short memory. A few poor games, and the same player who was once praised as Liverpool’s defensive rock is now being doubted.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand also came to Konate’s defense, suggesting that the harsh criticism he’s receiving has more to do with speculation about his future than his actual performances. Speaking on his show, Ferdinand said: “There’s no way that Konate has a bad performance last season and he’s getting the headline treatment. It’s only because of the interest from Real Madrid. There’s going to be disgruntled fans or people in the media who support Liverpool who are now going to start pointing the finger and blaming him. Whenever there’s a little mistake, and if there’s blame to be shared between two people, he’ll probably get it now because of that situation.”

Ferdinand’s point highlights something often ignored in modern football — once transfer rumours start, every mistake a player makes becomes a headline. Konate has found himself in that trap. Every misplaced pass, every wrong tackle, and every goal conceded from his side of the pitch now becomes a reason for criticism. The Real Madrid links have made him a constant topic in the media, and some fans are already assuming he will leave, which makes his relationship with supporters more complicated. It’s a difficult situation, especially for a player who has always spoken highly of Liverpool and has given his best since joining from RB Leipzig.

Inside the club, there are mixed feelings about the situation. Some reports claim that Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, is still confident that a new deal can be reached with Konate. The club values him highly and sees him as a long-term pillar in defense. However, others believe the relationship between the player and the new manager is not as smooth as it was under Klopp. Slot’s public criticism, although possibly meant as a wake-up call, might have been interpreted differently by Konate and those close to him. Players at this level often take pride seriously, and when a manager calls them out publicly, it can create tension behind the scenes.

At the same time, fans are questioning whether Slot’s tactics are too demanding on the defenders. The new system relies heavily on full-backs pushing forward and midfielders covering spaces that don’t come naturally to them. When those positions break down, the centre-backs are exposed. Konate, being forced to drift into the right-back area repeatedly, is playing a role that doesn’t suit his strengths. This has caused frustration, and his recent injury adds another layer of uncertainty. Liverpool supporters who once celebrated his physical dominance are now worried about his fitness and confidence.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, are quietly monitoring everything. They know that when players feel unsettled, opportunities arise. Madrid’s recruitment policy has changed in recent years. Instead of only signing global superstars, they now target younger players with high potential — just like they did with Tchouaméni, Camavinga, and Valverde. Konate fits perfectly into that project. At 26, he’s entering his prime years. His experience in the Premier League, his Champions League pedigree, and his international background with France make him an ideal candidate for Madrid’s next defensive evolution. Reports from Spain suggest that Florentino Pérez is personally interested in him and would be ready to move if Liverpool fail to extend his contract by January.

For Liverpool, losing Konate would be a huge blow. The club is already dealing with uncertainty surrounding several players. Mohamed Salah’s contract saga continues to linger, while others like Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez are also being linked with moves abroad. The last thing Arne Slot needs is another key player unsettled by external rumors. Especially one as crucial as Konate, who represents the backbone of his defensive unit. Slot’s challenge now is to rebuild confidence within his squad and restore unity in the dressing room. A divided team cannot compete at the top level, and Liverpool’s current struggles have exposed just how fragile momentum can be.

What makes the current situation more dramatic is how quickly opinions have shifted. Just a few months ago, Liverpool fans were celebrating Konate’s heroics and his leadership beside Van Dijk. Now, the same fans are questioning his performances, with some even suggesting he should be dropped. But football is never that simple. Every player goes through phases of poor form, and the best managers are those who protect their players during tough times. Whether Slot has learned that yet is still unclear. His honesty in press conferences might win him points for transparency, but it could also damage morale if not handled carefully. Public criticism can motivate some players but break others.

In truth, both manager and player are under pressure. Slot is still adapting to life in England, facing media scrutiny unlike anything he experienced in the Netherlands. Konate, meanwhile, is fighting to regain form while dealing with transfer rumors. Their relationship will be tested in the coming weeks. The next run of games — including crucial fixtures against Manchester United, Tottenham, and Aston Villa — could define Liverpool’s season. If results don’t improve, Slot’s decisions and comments will face even more analysis. The media storm around Konate could also intensify, especially if Madrid’s interest becomes more concrete.

For now, what Liverpool fans want is stability. They want to see their team defend with the same intensity that defined the Klopp era. They want to see Konate regain his confidence and silence critics. And most importantly, they want the club to handle his contract situation swiftly and smartly. The fear of losing another key player to a European rival is haunting the supporters, and the last thing they want is a repeat of the same mistakes that saw talents slip away in the past.

In the grand picture, the Konate saga is not just about one player — it’s a reflection of the transition Liverpool are going through under Arne Slot. Every new era comes with its own challenges, and sometimes, even great players struggle to adapt at first. Whether this chapter ends with Konate leaving for Real Madrid or signing a new long-term deal at Anfield will depend on how the next few months unfold. One thing is certain: the situation has already created tension that Liverpool must address quickly if they want to keep their title hopes alive