EPL: Slot singles out one Liverpool player for blame after Leeds draw
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted Ibrahima Konate has been “a bit too much at the crime scene” this season, with the defender again at fault during Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Elland Road.
The Reds surrendered a two-goal advantage and dropped more Premier League points as the Frenchman’s errors proved costly.
Ekitike fires Liverpool ahead
Liverpool looked positioned to bounce back from their midweek 1-1 draw against Sunderland.
Hugo Ekitike, starting ahead of the benched Alexander Isak, delivered a rapid double early in the second half. It was his first league goals since September’s Merseyside derby.
Slot says Konate’s errors cost Liverpool the game – Getty image
Konate errors shift the momentum
Just as Liverpool appeared fully in control, Konate brought down Wilfried Gnonto in the box, gifting Leeds a penalty.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted to spark a comeback. Minutes later, Konate backed off Anton Stach, allowing the midfielder time to unleash a powerful strike past Alisson.
Leeds capitalised again deep into stoppage time. Konate ducked under a corner delivery, enabling Ao Tanaka to fire home a 96th-minute equaliser, his second goal in a week.
Szoboszlai’s effort not enough
Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s lead with a driving run and composed finish, but the defensive lapses ultimately undermined what should have been a decisive moment.
Slot calls out defensive failures
In his post-match press conference, Slot acknowledged Konate’s work rate but stressed the defender’s recurring involvement in key errors.
“Unfortunately for him, he does a lot of things well, but he has been a bit too much at the crime scene,” Slot said. “Today it was a tackle from effort, he tried everything to block the cross.”
Speaking to Sky Sports, Slot expressed frustration at the nature of the goals conceded.
Manager frustrated by set-piece vulnerability
Slot noted Liverpool’s ongoing problems at dead-ball situations, pointing out this was their 10th or 11th goal conceded from a set piece this season.
“If you concede so many like this, you cannot be higher up the table,” he said. “We didn’t concede chances, but we conceded goals. That’s the situation we are in.”
Liverpool now face fresh backlash over their defensive discipline as they continue to lose ground in a bid to defend their title.
