Liverpool’s recent defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium has intensified the crisis brewing at Anfield, pushing the Reds further down the Premier League table and leaving fans deeply concerned. Sitting outside the top six, the team’s confidence appears shattered, and Michael Owen’s explosive comments have only added to the growing tension.
The Liverpool legend’s remarks have ignited fierce debate among fans and pundits, especially as he pointed fingers not at manager Arne Slot or star forward Mohamed Salah, but at certain underperforming players he believes are dragging the club down.
According to Owen, Liverpool’s defensive lapses are the main reason behind their struggles this season. “Konaté is a strong defender, yes, but he switches off too easily,” Owen remarked. “How many times have we seen him lose focus or fail to track a runner? These are the basics of defending. And the new goalkeeper — I’m sorry, but he doesn’t command his box.
Every cross, every long ball creates panic in the defense. You can’t win games like that.” His brutally honest assessment struck a nerve, as many supporters agreed that repeated defensive errors have cost Liverpool crucial points this season.
On social media, reactions to Owen’s outburst were sharply divided. Some fans sided with him, claiming he was only voicing what many had been thinking.
One frustrated supporter posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Finally, someone said the truth! We can’t keep blaming the coach when Konaté and the keeper keep gifting goals away every week!” Others, however, felt Owen was being unnecessarily harsh, insisting that the team’s defensive struggles were a collective issue rather than the fault of one or two players. “Owen’s being too harsh. Konaté is trying his best — it’s the whole defensive setup that’s broken, not just him,” another fan responded.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also addressed Owen’s comments during Sky Sports’ post-match coverage. “I understand where Michael is coming from,” Carragher said. “Liverpool’s defensive structure looks shaky, and yes, individuals have made mistakes. But when a team loses four games in a row, it’s never down to one player.
The confidence is gone, the midfield isn’t protecting the defense, and the goalkeeper is still adjusting. It’s a combination of factors.”
Inside the stadium, frustration was palpable. Fans booed loudly at full time, and banners calling for “accountability and focus” were spotted among the crowd. Reports suggest manager Arne Slot is losing patience with his defenders and may make big changes soon — possibly even benching Konaté in upcoming fixtures.
The Dutch coach has publicly criticized “individual errors” in recent weeks, a sentiment that aligns closely with Owen’s remarks.
Liverpool’s season, once full of promise after Slot’s appointment and new summer signings, now teeters on the edge.
The defensive line that was once a symbol of strength now looks fragile, and if things don’t change soon, the club could face one of its most disappointing campaigns in years. For now, the spotlight shines harshly on Ibrahima Konaté and the new goalkeeper — both under pressure to silence critics, prove Michael Owen wrong, and restore belief at Anfield.
