Alan Shearer slams Liverpool star who was constantly ‘mugged off’ against Crystal Palace

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool had few standout performers in their first defeat of the 2025/26 season against Crystal Palace.

The Eagles dominated the majority of the match at Selhurst Park and became the Premier League’s only undefeated side this season after Eddie Nketiah’s 95th-minute winner.

Federico Chiesa had equalised in the 87th minute as the Reds missed chance after chance in the second half to find the leveller following Ismaila Sarr’s opener inside the opening 10 minutes.

Liverpool could have sent a strong statement with a win over the side that thwarted them in the Community Shield, but their lead at the top of the table has now been cut to only two points.

And while Milos Kerkez has earned his critics after his awkward clearance led to the match-winner, Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has directed his attention at another underwhelming Liverpool man.

Ibrahima Konate got bullied by Jean-Philippe Mateta

When analysing the 2-1 loss at Selhurst Park on Match of the Day, Shearer belittled Ibrahima Konate, who produced another concerning display on Saturday.

“Say what you want about Konate, he gets done off the ball there!

“Palace absolutely battered Liverpool in the first half. If it wasn’t for Alisson, who made four or five magnificent saves, the game would have been over, over there.

“And then again, Konate gets mugged off by Mateta again. That’s another fabulous save from Alisson.”

Liverpool fans scolded Konate during the side’s first loss of the season – the Frenchman has endured a rollercoaster start to the season at Anfield.

After his concerning displays in the opening two fixtures, Konate appeared back to his best against Everton, but the defender produced perhaps his worst performance thus far in South London.

He lost 60% of his ground duels, lost possession four times, and committed two errors directly leading to shots against Palace, as well as missing a golden opportunity to equalise from a corner as his point-blank header was directed wide of the goal.

The Reds’ defence has been a main point of criticism throughout the beginning of the season, having conceded 10 goals in eight matches.

While the new full-back duo, Jeremie Frimpong and Kerkez, have struggled to hit the ground running on Merseyside, Konate is becoming the main cause of concern.

Arne Slot may be forced to drop Ibrahima Konate for Liverpool

Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury leaves Arne Slot in a difficult position regarding Konate.

Joe Gomez was outshone by the Italian prior to his injury during the Carabao Cup win against Southampton, but the club’s longest-serving player is the only natural centre-back option who could replace his French teammate.

Konate has appeared far too error-prone throughout the season thus far, and while he is still one of the most dominant central defenders in the Premier League on his day, his performance on Saturday was torrid.

With two tough away trips to Galatasaray and Chelsea on the horizon for the Reds, Konate simply cannot be trusted to start based on current form, leaving Slot with arguably his biggest selection dilemma.