11 months ago
152 Garth Crooks has issued his verdict on the performance of Ibrahima Konate after Liverpool drew with Arsenal in their crucial clash on Saturday.
The injury to Joel Matip has presented a real opportunity to Ibrahima Konate. And the Frenchman appears to have taken the chance with both hands.
Liverpool have conceded two goals across the last four games. And he was superb against the Premier League leaders at Anfield, with the two teams playing out a 1-1 draw.
Garth Crooks lauds Ibrahima Konate after Liverpool draw
Konate made five tackles, according to Whoscored. Only Joe Gomez managed to make more on either side.
And speaking to BBC Sport, Garth Crooks suggested that he can barely remember Konate having a better game for the Reds than he did against Arsenal.
“It has been a while since Konate made my team selection. It has taken the Frenchman some time to settle down at Anfield and find some real consistency. Against Arsenal, however, the Liverpool central defender had the best game I have seen him have for some time,” he said.
“He made a tackle on Zinchenko in his own penalty area in the final 10 minutes which was timed perfectly and needed to be. Konate also seems more composed on the ball these days and less prone to make rash tackles, especially when the striker has his back to goal. There was very little to separate these teams on the day and neither deserved to lose.”
Frenchman has big role to play over coming months
With Matip potentially now out for the rest of the season, Konate has a massive role to play, particularly with Liverpool back in title contention.
It is probably fair to say that the 24-year-old needs to find another gear. Unfortunately, he has not yet made 20 appearances in a single Premier League season since his move.
As things stand, he should comfortably manage that this season. He has already featured 13 times in the top-flight. And he is playing well.
Certainly, Alisson was full of praise for Konate as he lauded the quality Arsenal have in attack.
Clearly, Liverpool have such a talented centre-back in their ranks. And with Virgil van Dijk looking to be back to something like his best, the Reds surely have a phenomenal opportunity this season.
The post 'For some time': BBC pundit says he can barely remember 24-year-old Liverpool player having a better game appeared first on TBR Football.
