Copyright GIVEMESPORT
Former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore has called out Jamie Carragher for his criticism of Reds centre-back Ibrahima Konate following the Reds' heavy 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. The Frenchman has endured a testing start to the season, alongside his Premier League title-defending teammates, and was particularly at fault for Erling Haaland's opener at the Etihad Stadium. Konate's failed attempted clearance ricocheted off Haaland, to loop over Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and break the deadlock, which led Carragher to claim that last season's stalwart is "at the heart of" Liverpool's problems this term. However, Carragher's former teammate Traore, took umbrage over the outspoken Sky Sports pundit's comments. Traore Calls Out Carragher for Konate criticism Carragher has been publicly critical of Konate in the early months of the campaign, and that continued over the weekend following the Frenchman's howler which granted Man City the lead through Haaland's header. In the opening exchanges of the season, Carragher labeled Konate as "shocking" after his performance in the 4-2 victory over Bournemouth, after the former RB Leipzig defender was involved in both goals his side conceded against the Cherries. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, the former Reds defender once again leveled heavy criticism Konate's way. Carragher said on Sky Sports: "I just want to look at this match up in the middle between Konate and Haaland. "Konate started the game, (he was) heavily involved in the penalty again and he's having a really tough time. We feel like we say this week after week. "It's a little bit of luck for Man City because Haaland doesn't know too much about it. Now, he's done this thing where he's trying to flick the ball on. When I'm a defender and I flick the ball on, that's the last resort. He's not even off the ground and he's trying to flick it on. Go and get up as high as you can. Look at Haaland and head that ball away. I don't understand at all what Konate is trying to do. "Konate, again, when Liverpool concede a goal or a problem, he is at the heart of it and he's got a big problem away from home. A lot of his big performances this season. Manchester United he played well. Real Madrid in midweek, he played really well. Arsenal early in the season, he played really well. "But away from home, which is when you need your centre-backs. Your centre-backs need to play well away from home if you're going to get results and too often this season he's gone missing away from home." Carragher's critique then saw Traore, who played 88 games for Liverpool between 1999 and 2006, tell his former teammate on X that he disagrees with his comments on Konate, and that all of Arne Slot's side are 'underperforming' this season. Although Carragher tends to often be outspoken on punditry duties, he took no issue with his fellow 2005 Champions League final winner. He replied: "That’s absolutely fine my dear friend!". Konate appeared back to his resolute best last week in the Champions League victory over Real Madrid at Anfield, but failed to continue that form against the title contenders, with his failure to clear Matheus Nunes' cross for Haaland coming after he gifted the ball back to Jeremy Doku, which saw City awarded a penalty after Mamardashvili's challenge. Speculation remains rife over Konate's future as the 26-year-old enters the final eight months of his Liverpool deal, and the towering defender will be desperate to rediscover his stellar form from last season when the Reds return from international break with the visit of a rejuvenated Nottingham Forest on November 22.
