After struggling with injury problems at Anfield for the past two seasons, the Frenchman has played 90 minutes in Liverpool’s last three matches. With Joel Matip out with a knee injury, Konate has established himself as Virgil van Dijk’s centre-back. Ahead of Liverpool’s trip to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, Klopp previewed how impressed he has been with Konate recently. The Liverpool manager replied: “I’m not really surprised to be honest. Because he can do it, we expect the same from him.“I think our back line was really good at every position.
Very well done by Jarell Quansah. Virgil (Van Dijk) is having a good season, Joe Gomez. We are currently at the top. If the players are not performing at a very high level, can they get there? But it is very important for us. Every game of the season can be largely ignored and forgotten. The number of goals allowed can never be ignored.”Obviously not Ibou Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip or any of the others, but the whole team. It’s important to remember that it all starts with the idea of high defense, high defense, and normal defense. If it’s good, very good or very good, you can think about it after playing football. But if you don’t have stability, you shouldn’t even try.”
Jurgen Klopp has admitted he has been unimpressed with Ibrahima Konate’s recent performances for Liverpool as he expected the defender to reach such a high standard. Konate are in good form among the Premier League leaders. The Frenchman dominated Red’s two games against title rivals Arsenal, as well as wins over West Ham United, Newcastle United and Fulham.
