Ibrahima Konate has night to forget just days after leaving Liverpool

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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesIbrahima KonatéIbrahima Konate slipped to gift Ivory Coast their equalizer and was outpaced by Yan Diomande, who could join Liverpool this summerIbrahima Konate struggled against Ivory Coast in a friendly(Image: Getty)Ibrahima Konate's first competitive outing since confirming his departure from Liverpool could hardly have gone worse.The French center-back endured a difficult evening in Nantes on Wednesday as Ivory Coast came from behind to beat France 2-1 in a World Cup warm-up match, and Konate was involved in both of the moments that will receive the most scrutiny in the days ahead.The story began in just the third minute. Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, the same player Liverpool is reportedly racing to sign as Mohamed Salah's replacement, burst onto a loose ball and completely outran the defender to reach it in the box.Konate, unable to match Diomande's pace, was left trailing in his wake.

Nothing came of the chance, but the image of one of the world's most coveted young forward exposing the departing Reds defender's lack of footspeed was not one that passed unnoticed, particularly given the transfer storyline running beneath it.Then came the goal that truly defined Konate's evening. With France leading 1-0 through Rayan Cherki's composed first-half finish, Didier Deschamps made sweeping changes at the break.What followed undid the lead France had worked for.Content cannot be displayed without consentKonate slipped at a critical moment as Ivory Coast worked the ball forward in the 53rd minute, and the error contributed directly to Guela Doué finding the space to latch onto a Nicolas Pépé through ball and clip a right-footed equalizer past Mike Maignan.The goal changed the entire complexion of the match, and Ivory Coast never looked back.Manchester United forward Amad, who had come on as a substitute, completed the turnaround with six minutes remaining, meeting a Doué cross first time to sweep into the far corner and seal a 2-1 victory that will be remembered as much for France's defensive fragility as Ivory Coast's quality.Ibrahima Konate took on Yan Diomande during the international friendly football match between France and Ivory Coast(Image: Getty)For Konate, the timing of the performance adds an uncomfortable dimension to what was already a difficult week.

After months of failed contract negotiations with Liverpool, his departure from Anfield was confirmed at the end of May, a free transfer exit that follows Trent Alexander-Arnold's similarly cost-free departure twelve months earlier.He left Anfield having made 183 appearances, becoming a regular starter alongside Virgil van Dijk during one of the most turbulent seasons in the club's recent history.Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has publicly promised Konate will be his next signing if he wins the club's presidential election on June 7, calling him "one of the world's top defenders." Perez may find it harder to reference Wednesday's footage in his campaign materials.France faces Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday before the World Cup opener against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Ibrahima KonatéLiverpool FCFIFA World Cup