It has not been a straightforward European Championship for Liverpool players.
The Reds saw 10 members of the first-team squad head to Germany in hopes of winning the Euros this summer.
However, with the group stage now done, three players have already headed home. Even for those still in the competition, a further three Liverpool players are yet to even play.
For the ones that have been out on the pitch things haven’t been much better. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been hounded for his displays with England, while the Netherlands have had a poor time with Virgil van Dijk as captain.
Of the ten to travel from Anfield, only Diogo Jota could be said to be really in a totally good place, and even then, he is not a starter for Portugal.
Ibrahima Konate airs France ‘frustration’
It is a toss up for who is having the least enjoyable Euros from Liverpool so far. The easy answer would be one of Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Ryan Gravenberch, all of whom have yet to play a minute.
But perhaps Alexander-Arnold is the one who takes the crown. Some of the criticism coming Trent’s way has been wholly unfair.
Nevertheless, at least the Liverpool academy graduate has been getting on the pitch. Alexander-Arnold has played in all three of England’s games so far, starting two.
For the others, they are having to deal with the disappointment of being part of the squad, but not really feeling involved.
In fairness, the situations of Konate, Gomez and Gravenberch are different. Gomez and Gravenberch were late additions to their country’s squads having been out of the picture for a little while.
But for £35m Konate, things have taken a poor turn during the tournament itself. Konate was supposed to be starting France’s opening game against Austria. Having suffered illness in the days leading up to the game though, he was replaced by William Saliba.
Since then, Saliba has been a constant in the team. And speaking to RMC Sport about his lack of playing time ahead of France’s last-16 game with Belgium, Konate admitted to feeling frustrated.
“It’s clear that I came with a lot of hopes,” says the Liverpool centre-back. “It’s part of the vagaries of football. I knew where I belonged before the first game. There is this frustration but I know my role on and off the pitch. A 100% “Ibou” would never have sat on the bench. There are 25 of us, we have to go all the way.”
Will Ibrahima Konate get back in France’s team?
It has been really disappointing to see Konate lose his place in the France team. Les Bleus are still one of the big favourites to lift the trophy and it would have been great to see Ibou at the forefront of that.
Having been in poor form for Liverpool towards the end of the season though, this also is not a big surprise.
Saliba had a terrific campaign for Arsenal and on current form is the right pick ahead of Konate.
To make matters worse for Liverpool’s No.5, L’Equipe report that he missed Saturday’s training session having picked up a knock the day before.
With this in mind, it seems impossible that Konate will replace Saliba for Monday’s clash with Belgium.
The frustration continues for Ibou.