Slot must axe Konate after dreadful showing v Fulham – 3 Liverpool talking points
Liverpool will still be dreaming of a Premier League title but dreams have been dampened somewhat by a defeat against Fulham on Sunday.
The Reds looked set to cruise towards another victory on 6 April when Alexis Mac Allister found the net from range to make it 1-0 after just 14 minutes.
It is safe to say that the joy of that strike didn’t last long when Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Muniz and Alex Iwobi put the Cottagers 3-1 up.
Luis Diaz did manage to half the deficit with 20 minutes to go but ultimately, it wasn’t enough from the away side, who lost for a third time in four games.
Liverpool News takes you through some of the main talking points as Arne Slot’s side fell to yet another frustrating defeat.
Slot should drop Konate moving forward
The first half display from the France international was nothing short of shambolic as he looked lazy and disinterested at Craven Cottage.
This saw him hooked with over 20 minutes to go after giving the ball away four times and committing two fouls [FotMob], putting further pressure on the back line.
Konate doesn’t help himself but was arguably at fault for Iwobi’s strike as he tried to communicate with Curtis Jones, resulting in himself and the England international being out of position.
Although there is only Premier League action remaining this season, Slot can’t continue to trust the 25-year-old alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenbech are still top class
If the centre-back baffled supporters with his play, the midfield duo raised the bar and proved just how excellent they are.
Mac Allister opened the scoring with a superb strike, which left Bernd Leno with no hopes of making a save after just 14 minutes.
This capped off a performance where the Argenine also created two chances and won five duels in all action showing in the capital.
| Stat | Alexis Mac Allister | Ryan Gravenberch | Total |
| Passes completed | 39 | 65 | 104 |
| Chances created | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Defensive actions | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Duels won | 6 | 8 | 14 |
This was echoed by his partner, Gravenberch who kept up a 90 per cent pass accuracy whilst being the most fouled man on the pitch, being brought down four times.
The Reds duo have been so integral to everything good about the Anfield club and can feel hard done by to have fallen to defeat this time around.
Liverpool need a striker in the summer
A new recognised striker will take Slot’s side to another level.
Mohamed Salah hasn’t scored in three games and can’t be solely relied on to dig his side out of trouble every game between now and the end of the season.
The Egypt international is one of the only true goal threats in the side right now as Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez did very little to trouble Leno.
Looking ahead to the summer window, there is likely to be plenty of options available, whether that be Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyokeres.
Whoever it is, they are bound to have a telling impact in L4.