Robbie Fowler accuses £36m Liverpool star of having a ‘defeatist attitude’ in FA Cup defeat to Man City | Football

Robbie Fowler has accused Ibrahima Konate of having a ‘defeatist attitude’ during Liverpool’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Arne Slot’s side crashed out of the FA Cup as Erling Haaland’s hat-trick, plus a neat finish from Antoine Semenyo, sealed City’s place in the semi-final at Wembley.

During his analysis for City’s fourth goal which saw Haaland complete his 28th career hat-trick, Fowler was unhappy with Konate’s passive defending against Jeremy Doku in the build-up.

‘You know you have tough times, I mentioned before about leaders, just look at the reaction from Konate, that’s like a defeatist attitude, someone who sort of gives in,’ Fowler told TNT Sports.

‘Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great finish, the movement is great, it’s a good goal by City, but I actually want a bit more from my team defensively, I think Konate just gives in.

‘I’ve seen it on more than one occasion this year with him where the ball goes past him and he’s quick to sort of give in.’

Mohamed Salah also had a game to forget for Liverpool as he missed an excellent chance in the first half before he saw his penalty saved by James Trafford after the break.

Asked if he was confident about Salah taking the penalty, Fowler replied: ‘I’ve got to be honest, no.

‘I think that was not only because of his performance but because of the chances he missed.

‘He has got the quality to change games but today he just wasn’t at it from the off.

‘He put the ball down and for my sins I actually thought he was going to miss that. I hate myself for thinking that.’

Asked if he would start Salah against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, Fowler said: ‘I think so.

‘I mean, what are the other options you’ve got, who comes in?

‘That’s the problem that you have for Liverpool. You want a little bit of experience, you want someone who has been on that stage because it’s a massive game.

‘Of course you’ll have players who will want to come in and do a good job, but Mo Salah is Mo Salah, he can, as much as he’s not had the best game today, he’s not had the greatest season, but he can be a difference so I think you’ve got to start him because I don’t think anyone can come in ahead of him.’

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