Hugo Ekitike and Ibrahima Konate started as France ended their World Cup qualifiers with a 3-1 win over Azerbaijan, but the Liverpool pair emerged with varied ratings.Konate wore the captain’s armband as he returned to Didier Deschamps’ side as part of a rotated lineup on Sunday night, with France already qualified for the 2026 World Cup.He started alongside Ekitike, who took up a role as left winger with Jean-Philippe Mateta up front, Christopher Nkunku as No. 10 and Maghnes Akliouche on the right.While France secured another victory, with goals from Mateta and Akliouche and an own goal from Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev, there was a mixed reception for Liverpool’s French duo.How the French media rated Konate as captainThe ratings for Konate were contrasting, with GOAL‘s Richie Mills awarding the defender a seven out of 10 and Maxifoot‘s Youcef Touaitia giving him a 6.5 but Foot Mercato (5), L’Equipe (4) and Le Parisien (5) less positive.“The Liverpool defender was quite solid,” was Foot Mercato’s assessment.“Effective in distribution and showing flair with the ball at his feet, he dominated in duels and held his own in aerial duels.“A performance worth highlighting against a relatively weak opponent.” Mills added for GOAL: “Despite not having a particularly good season for Liverpool, the big defender looked calm and assured at the back.”“Captain for the day, the Liverpool centre-back, initially under pressure, quickly restored order at the back,” Touaitia wrote for Maxifoot.“Better positioned, more adept at anticipating attacks, and solid in covering, he embodied the team’s growing strength after the first half-hour.”Ekitike’s role questioned: “A match to forget”The verdict on Ekitike’s stint on the left wing – unable to build on his blossoming partnership with Kylian Mbappe – was more unanimous.Foot Mercato gave the striker a four out of 10, explaining: “In an unusual system with Mateta and Nkunku, the lanky striker didn’t necessarily have the space to express himself.“Rarely involved and often unavailable, he failed to stand out and missed some basic opportunities. A match to forget, but one that shouldn’t overshadow his overall impressive display.”GOAL writer Mills gave five out of 10: “The Liverpool forward has been excellent so far for his new team but he seemed all at sea at times. Seems to be better when leading the line.”L’Equipe and Le Parisien both deemed Ekitike’s performance a four of 10, while Maxifoot’s Touaitia gave him a 5.5.“The Liverpool striker showed desire, made runs, and contributed to the play, but remained too imprecise in the final pass or shot,” he wrote.“He had some good moments but lacked efficiency and finishing touch. A decent performance, but not entirely convincing.”