Liverpool boss Arne Slot may have overseen two wins from his opening two Premier League games, but the head coach has been quick to stress that improvements are required if the champions are to retain their crown.
The Reds have scored seven times in victories over Bournemouth and Newcastle, but the four goals conceded in those games — including two from set-pieces at St James’ Park — have left Slot demanding more from his back line.
Ahead of Sunday’s clash with Arsenal at Anfield, the Dutch coach has singled out Ibrahima Konaté and summer signing Milos Kerkez as players who must step up defensively.
Konaté is now into the final year of his Liverpool contract, with talks over an extension still to be resolved. The France international has long been seen as Virgil van Dijk’s long-term partner at centre-back, but inconsistent form and persistent injuries have prevented him from truly cementing that role.
Slot acknowledged that the 25-year-old is adjusting to new surroundings, with Ryan Gravenberch operating as a holding midfielder for the first time at Newcastle and a different right-back alongside him. Yet, he also made clear that Konaté has areas to improve.
“I think he has things he can improve. But for him starting this season with a different full-back next to him probably is different as well. He and the team had Ryan Gravenberch in front of them for the first time against Newcastle, so I think it’s partly also adjustment to each other.
And partly, I think the biggest strength of Ibou is of course his defensive quality. You could already see last season when he and Virgil were playing together, they mainly make sure Virgil doesn’t get the ball, so he needs to bring the ball out of the back.
That he does sometimes really, really, really good, but his consistency in that part is definitely something he can improve, but that will also improve the more we work together, the more he’s used to the right full-back next to him, the more he’s used to the other players that are in front of him as well.”
Konaté remains highly rated inside the club and amongst the supporters but with Liverpool heavily linked to Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi in recent weeks, the pressure is on for the Frenchman to raise his level as he enters a pivotal season in his career.
Slot also offered an appraisal of Milos Kerkez, the 20-year-old Hungarian left-back who arrived from Bournemouth this summer. Tasked with replacing Andy Robertson in the long term, Kerkez was thrown straight into the starting XI and was given two of the toughest possible assignments in successive weeks.
The youngster was up against Antoine Semenyo, arguably Bournemouth’s most dangerous attacker, in his debut at Anfield. Then came a duel with Anthony Elanga at Newcastle, where the former Manchester United winger’s pace caused problems.
Slot admitted it has been a steep learning curve for Kerkez but praised the teenager’s resilience.
“It’s fair enough [to say it’s been difficult], not from him but from us as a team. Unfortunately for him, he had to play in the first game against maybe their best player [Antoine Semenyo], and in the second game I liked Elanga already at Forest but Eddie did a good job.
I knew he was fast but that he was so fast, that was even a surprise to me in that game. That’s part of why defenders have had a hard time in both games and maybe him particularly because he faced in both games the biggest threat of the other team.
Apart from him being involved in the set-piece goal in the first one, I think he controlled Elanga quite well considering how fast and how much of a threat he can be.”
While Konaté and Kerkez continue to adjust, Virgil van Dijk remains the steadying influence at the heart of Liverpool’s defence. His composure on the ball, ability to read danger, and organisation of the backline are crucial to Slot’s system.
Konaté’s performances are often judged in tandem with Van Dijk, and the Dutchman’s presence allows Slot to be patient as the Frenchman works on consistency. When paired together, Van Dijk’s leadership helps cover moments when Konaté struggles.
Liverpool’s defensive record under Slot is still in its infancy, but with four goals conceded in two matches and Arsenal visiting Anfield on Sunday, the challenge is about to get significantly tougher.
Arteta’s side are among the most dangerous in the Premier League from set pieces — an area that has already troubled Liverpool — and with Konaté searching for consistency and Kerkez still adapting to life at the top end of the division, Slot will be looking for both players to step up.
The Dutchman has been clear in his message — Liverpool have made a winning start, but if they are to keep their crown then the work at the back must improve.
