Konate makes rare social media post acknowledging Liverpool's recent poor form

Ibrahima Konate made a rare public statement on Thursday as Liverpool's crisis deepened, with Virgil van Dijk also addressing fans after another bruising week at Anfield.

The Frenchman conceded the squad 'have to take this moment on the chest', while Van Dijk admitted the club were facing 'one of the toughest moments of our journey' as pressure on Arne Slot intensified.

Liverpool suffered a 4-1 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night in the Champions League, a ninth loss across their last 12 matches in all competitions.

That humiliation followed a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, leaving the reigning Premier League champions sitting 12th and outside the automatic Champions League qualification places.

Konate faced significant criticism after being partly at fault for PSV's third goal midway through the second half, when his mistake allowed the Dutch side to pull further clear. It was emblematic of his performances this term, which have been far below the standard set during Liverpool's title-winning campaign.

'We have to take this moment on the chest. Criticism is part of football, and we'll fight back every time and come through this storm,' Konate wrote on Instagram.

'In these moments, the fans matter most. The ones who stand with us in the good times and the bad, the ones who sing for us even in the difficult moments.

'Your voice and your support mean everything to us. We know we need to improve and we'll keep fighting for you. Always.'

Captain Virgil van Dijk also addressed supporters following the PSV defeat, as scrutiny on the dressing room intensified during Liverpool's worst spell of Slot's tenure.

'We're facing one of the toughest moments of our journey, but we refuse to let this define us. We will rise from this. I believe in this team with everything I have,' Van Dijk wrote.

'Nothing has ever been handed to us, we've fought for everything, and this moment is no different.

'We won't give in. Won't give up. Every challenge is an opportunity. We must grow together, lift each other up, and show the strength that lies within us.

'To the fans, keep supporting us. We all need each other more than ever.'

Those messages came as the spotlight continued to fall on Slot, whose position has increasingly come under scrutiny during the club's collapse in form.

The Dutchman has insisted he will 'fight on', confirming the club's position around him has not changed and acknowledging that 'there is a lot of pressure' when results deteriorate at a club like Liverpool.

Liverpool's problems have been compounded at the back, with Giovanni Leoni ruled out for the season and Joe Gomez still battling ongoing fitness issues, leaving Slot reliant on Konate and Van Dijk through a congested period.

Attention now turns to a pivotal run of three fixtures, beginning with Sunday's trip to West Ham at the London Stadium, followed by meetings with Sunderland and Leeds United.