Former Aston Villa right-back Alan Hutton has backed Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate to leapfrog Joel Matip in Jurgen Klopp’s pecking order subsequent season.
In the mean time, Joel Matip appears to be the primary selection alongside Virgil van Dijk on the coronary heart of the Reds protection.
Following his huge transfer from RB Leipzig in the summertime, Konate has began simply eight Premier League video games this season.
Nevertheless, Klopp has used the 22-year-old extensively in Cup video games, together with in quite a lot of essential Champions League ties.
Alan Hutton has claimed that he has been totally impressed with how the younger defender has fared for Liverpool in his debut season.
The 37-year-old has backed the Frenchman to usually companion van Dijk forward of Joel Matip subsequent season. Hutton informed Football Insider:
“I’ve at all times preferred him, I believe he’s bought every part. He’s just like Van Dijk in stature and the way in which he performs.”
“As a partnership transferring ahead, I believe they’ve bought every part collectively. There should not many quantity nines who might get the higher of them.”
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“Usually you choose one to go and play on. You’re arising towards these two and pondering: ‘What do I do right here?’”
“His type and play is up there with a number of the finest. Clearly Klopp likes Matip however I believe transferring ahead, it is going to be Konate that slots in there.”
Hutton has claimed that Jurgen Klopp has achieved extraordinarily effectively to assist Konate settle in at Anfield. He added:
“It’s about bedding him in. When you have a look at Klopp and what he’s achieved with Diaz and these guys, he’s at all times simply introduced them in when he’s wanted and settled them in at a great tempo.”
“He’s not simply thrown them in. Centre-half, it may be a kind of positions, particularly as a younger participant, the place you possibly have a couple of up and down performances.”
“The followers could be in your again and the boldness goes a bit of bit. He doesn’t want to do this. He can take his time with them.”
“I believe that’s what he’s achieved very well. So in all probability subsequent season you’ll see the appearances ramped up.”
Ibrahima Konate might be the chief of the Liverpool backline in submit van Dijk period
As Alan Hutton has identified, Ibrahima Konate has every part in his locker to change into an entire central defender.
He’s virtually of the identical top as Virgil van Dijk and fairly naturally excels within the air.
The Frenchman can be exceptionally quick for an enormous man and is calm and composed on the ball.
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The 22-year-old might show to be Virgil van Dijk’s long-term successor on the coronary heart of the Liverpool protection if he can construct on his strong first season.
