Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has sent shockwaves through the Premier League world after launching a fiery critique of Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté, claiming he’s become a major weak link in Arne Slot’s system.
Speaking live on CBS Sports after Liverpool’s latest setback, Henry didn’t hold back — questioning Konaté’s awareness, composure, and tactical understanding.
> “He’s the biggest issue this Liverpool team has right now,” Henry said bluntly.
“If Arne Slot takes him out, Liverpool can win the league. But if not… they might not even make the top 10.”
The comment immediately exploded online, sparking heated debates among fans and pundits alike.
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🔍 Henry’s Harsh Assessment of Konaté’s Performances
Henry went into detail about why he believes the French defender is holding Liverpool back, highlighting lapses in focus and poor positioning that have led to costly mistakes.
> “He’s powerful and quick, yes. But football isn’t just about strength,” Henry added.
“You have to anticipate danger, read the game, and stay switched on. That’s where he’s struggling.”
The French legend also claimed that Konaté’s errors have put extra pressure on Virgil van Dijk, who’s often seen covering for his partner.
> “Van Dijk is doing double the work. That’s not balance — that’s chaos,” Henry said.
“Liverpool used to have a rock-solid defence. Now it looks shaky.”
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⚠️ Pressure Mounts on Arne Slot
Henry’s remarks come at a tough time for new boss Arne Slot, who’s facing criticism after a mixed start to his Anfield reign. Insiders suggest Slot still believes in Konaté’s potential but knows the fanbase is growing frustrated.
According to reports, Slot may soon have to decide whether to rotate or drop the Frenchman altogether.
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🧩 “Liverpool Can Win Without Him” — Henry’s Bold Claim
Henry didn’t stop at criticism — he made a bold prediction that Liverpool could actually win the Premier League if Konaté were replaced.
> “Liverpool have quality everywhere,” he said.
“But one weak link ruins the chain. Fix that, and they can go all the way.”
Fans flooded social media to react, with many surprisingly agreeing with Henry’s assessment.
> “Henry’s right — Konaté has been off all season,” one fan wrote.
“He loses focus and panics too much.”
Others, however, defended the player, arguing that Slot’s tactics — not Konaté — are to blame for the team’s defensive woes.
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📊 The Numbers Don’t Lie
Stats show a noticeable dip in Konaté’s form this season. His defensive error count has risen, while his aerial duel success and passing accuracy have dropped compared to last year.
A former club scout reportedly told Football Insider:
> “He’s still playing like a raw defender. The talent is there, but the consistency isn’t.”
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🗣️ Henry’s Message to Slot: “Be Ruthless”
Ending his analysis, Henry delivered a pointed message to Arne Slot:
> “Great managers are ruthless. Klopp was, Ferguson was. Slot has to decide — does he want to be loved, or does he want to win?”
The studio applauded, but fans could sense the deeper challenge behind Henry’s words.
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🔥 Could This Spell the End for Konaté?
With rumours linking Liverpool to defenders like Marc Guehi and Antonio Silva, speculation is growing that Konaté’s future could be uncertain come January.
A former Liverpool player told Sky Sports:
> “When pundits like Henry speak, it creates pressure. Konaté will either step up — or find himself out.”
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💬 Fan Verdict
Social media reactions have been intense:
> “We can’t keep dropping points because of his mistakes,” one fan posted.
“Henry just said what most of us have been thinking.”
Others urged patience, insisting Konaté deserves time to rediscover his form.
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⚽ Final Word
Football at the top level is merciless — one player’s dip in form can derail a title race. For Arne Slot, the next few games could define his early tenure.
Will he continue to trust Konaté?
Or will he take Thierry Henry’s ruthless advice and make the big call before it’s too late?
One thing’s for sure — Anfield and the world will be watching. 👀🔥
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