Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has not been named in France's latest international squad because he plays in a four-man defence.
The 22-year-old is yet to lose a single match for the Reds since joining from RB Leipzig last summer. The imposing centre-back already has two medals to his name at Afield and could yet finish the season as a Champions League or Premier League winner. But despite his impressive achievements, French national team manager Didier Deschamps prefers to deploy a three-man rear-guard and that has seen Konate miss out this time, with William Saliba preferred.
World Cup-winner Deschamps said: "Yes, I’m following [Konate], he’s in a team which is competing in the Champions League final and for the title in England. But since he’s been at Liverpool, he’s mostly played in a four-man defence and there is competition [in the France team]. I brought William [Saliba] last time and he always plays in a back three. It’s either one or the other, it’s very competitive, and that’s very good. It allows for the veterans to not get too comfortable."
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Saliba is currently on loan from Arsenal at Ligue 1 side Marseilles, where boss Jorge Sampaoli plays the defender in a 3-3-1-3 shape alongside Luan Peres and Duje Caleta-Car.
Deschamps has introduced a 3-5-2 formation for France since before the Euro 2020 tournament. Les Bleus will face Denmark, Croatia and Austria in three Nations League fixtures next month, but without Konate.
However, the Liverpool defender has played a key role in helping his side reach Paris on May 28, when the Reds face Real Madrid in the Champions League Final.
