Liverpool star 'absolutely shocking' as Carragher pulls no punches in Bournemouth win

Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate was slammed by Jamie Carragher during the Reds' 4-2 victory over Bournemouth on Friday evening. The reigning Premier League champions got their title defence up and running with three points after scoring two late goals at Anfield.

The league opener proved to be an emotional affair after Liverpool paid tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of the match following his death last month. The north west giants then turned on the style on the pitch as summer signing Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring before half time. Cody Gakpo doubled his side's advantage in the early stages of the second half, before Antoine Semenyo bagged a 12-minute brace to draw the visitors level. Liverpool eventually secured victory after substitute Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah got their names on the scoresheet in the closing stages.

Konate, who is in the final year of his Liverpool contract, lined up alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Reds defence for the visit of the Cherries. But he didn't enjoy his finest game in a Liverpool shirt as Bournemouth threatened in the final third.

Bournemouth's equaliser came from a counter attack as Semenyo was allowed to run with the ball from the edge of his own penalty area.

Konate failed to close the former Bristol City player down as he allowed Semento to cross the halfway line and race towards the Liverpool penalty area without putting any pressure on the ball.

By the time Semenyo took his shot from the edge of the box, Konate had chosen to take up a position five yards away from the forward.

And after the ball hit the back of the net, former Liverpool defender Carragher exclaimed on Sky Sports: "What is Konate doing? He's been absolutely shocking tonight, Konate.

"Liverpool are way too open, there is no midfield cover. We saw this in pre-season, they're easy to get at. It goes from one end to the other."

Meanwhile, ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock also criticised the Liverpool defending on BBC Radio 5 Live as he told listeners: "Best player on the pitch by an absolute mile, Antoine Semenyo. He's been brilliant all night, particularly in front of goal.

"Mohamed Salah loses the ball on the edge of the box and Bournemouth break. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate just watch the ball, neither of them go towards Semenyo.

"At one point he's carried the ball for 40-50 yards and he just pulls the ball onto his right foot and finds the bottom corner."