France national media deliver verdict on Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate after 2-1 win vs Belgium

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Ibrahima Konate has been a regular for Liverpool this season, with the defender now starting to get consecutive starts for France.

After not playing a single minute at Euro 2024, Konate has now started all but one game for France since the competition ended, with the Liverpool centre-back in the XI alongside Arsenal’s William Saliba to face Belgium.

Wearing the captain’s armband in the final moments of the match, Les Bleus did enough to secure a 2-1 win against their European rivals, with Randal Kolo Muani the hero on the night with two goals for France.

And French media have now delivered their verdict on Konate’s performance against Belgium.

Konate given mixed reviews after France win vs Belgium

Despite playing the entire game and having some good moments at the back, Konate received mixed reviews from last night’s performance in Brussels against the Red Devils.

Foot Mercato noted how Konate was more consistent than Saliba on the day, with the Liverpool defender praised for being impressive in the duels and making a lot of clearances, yet the centre-back had ‘a worrying waste’ of a chance for Les Bleus.

Goal were about as kind to Konate, with the France international ‘reigning supreme’ in the box yet still managed to make ‘a number of errors’ at the back which had to be dealt with goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Meanwhile, L’Equipe were surprisingly generous with their rating of Konate, with the famous French sports daily awarding the Liverpool defender a 6/10 and praising the former RB Leipzig star for being ‘the rock’ of France’s backline.

Konate will feel he could have done better for France in Brussels

Konate currently has a starting XI spot with France locked down having replaced Dayot Upamencano at the back alongside Saliba, with the Liverpool star looking good with the Arsenal man for Didier Deschamps.

Yet Konate will know deep down that he should have done better for France in Brussels, with Maignan having plenty to deal with because of the Liverpool defender and Saliba being way off the pace against Belgium.

With the Premier League back this weekend, Konate will want to show how good he can be for the Reds, especially against an in-form opponent in Chelsea, where Cole Palmer will be a threat for Liverpool.