Mark Lawrenson says ‘world class’ Liverpool player has been awful this season

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Liverpool have somehow managed to add six points to their Premier League tally this season despite performing well below their usual levels.

Ever since they lost the Community Shield to Crystal Palace at the start of the campaign, it was clear that the Reds’ first-team squad would need some time to gel.

And, while some players such as Hugo Ekitike have taken like ducks to water, others such as Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz still need some time to get used to the demands from a team of Liverpool’s size.

Arne Slot’s main goal this season will be to try and retain the Premier League title, and while they may be in the top three places at the moment, Sunday’s clash against Arsenal will be one of their first proper tests.

And, unless certain members of the Anfield outfit’s squad get their acts together soon, it could end up being quite embarrassing for Liverpool.

Mark Lawrenson believes Ibrahima Konate has been ‘all over the place’ for Liverpool this season

One player who has performed well below par thus far is Ibrahima Konate.

Last season, the Frenchman was being dubbed ‘world-class‘ and was even being compared to Virgil van Dijk, but after his first three performances in the 2025-26 season, he’s miles off the pace.

These are also the thoughts of former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson, who slammed the centre-back for his recent poor form.

“The French boy is all over the place; he’s making all sorts of mistakes,” he said.

“And don’t forget they’ve got different players playing at the back at the moment, which they normally wouldn’t.

“Yeah, I mean it’s not particularly good [Liverpool’s defence at the moment] but it’ll get better.

“There’s still a chance if they need to sign somebody, obviously, the transfer market is still open.”

Marc Guehi’s transfer could change depending on the amount of money that Liverpool put on the table

One of the main players to have been linked with an Anfield switch this summer is Marc Guehi.

It has been reported for the last few weeks that the Reds were interested in signing him, but, since Crystal Palace haven’t signed a replacement yet, they’ve stuck firm to their £40million price tag.

Although Slot may have just signed Giovanni Leoni from Parma, the addition of Guehi would take things up another level at Anfield and would add yet another player to fight for Konate’s position.

And, while live on talkSPORT again, Lawrenson shared his thoughts on what the Reds need to do about their hunt for the Englishman.

“We all thought about a week ago that [Guehi’s transfer] was happening,” he said.

“But I think Palace are saying that he’s got to stay, hasn’t he, so I don’t know [but] listen, money changes it.”

Of course, only time will tell what the future has in store, but if the Reds wait until next summer to try and sign Guehi, they could end up making a massive mistake.

That is, especially if Konate doesn’t manage to get his act together.