French-Malian defender Ibrahima Konate vows to fight back amid pressure over poor Liverpool form

Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate has pledged to fight through mounting criticism after the club’s disastrous run continued with a 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven.

Konate, who is of Malian heritage, has been under the microscope this season as the Reds struggle defensively.

The 26-year-old’s struggles were highlighted during Wednesday’s Champions League loss, where his error led to PSV’s third goal, marking Liverpool’s ninth defeat in 12 matches across all competitions.

The France international has endured a difficult season, often caught out of position and unable to find consistency.

His poor performances have compounded Liverpool’s worst sequence of results in 71 years, putting manager Arne Slot under intense scrutiny.

Konate has also been substituted in multiple games, including against Nottingham Forest and PSV, as the club searches for stability at the back.

Addressing supporters for the first time publicly since the pressure intensified, Konate wrote on X that he understands the frustration of the fans and reaffirmed the team’s commitment to fight back.

“We have to take this moment on the chest,” the Frenchman wrote on his X account.

“Criticism is part of football, and we’ll fight back every time and come through this storm. In these moments, the fans matter most.

“We know we need to improve, and we’ll keep fighting for you. Always.”

Liverpool’s defensive issues have been worsened by injuries, with Giovanni Leoni out for the season and Joe Gomez struggling for full fitness.

Slot confirmed Konate missed two training sessions before the PSV clash, though no reason was given. Despite his struggles, Konate is expected to start against West Ham United on Sunday, as Liverpool aim to halt their alarming slide.