Speaking to Off The Ball, Mark Lawrenson has been discussing Ibrahima Konate and his role in this Liverpool team.
Konate was Liverpool’s only signing of the summer, and despite the fact he arrived with quite a lot of fanfare, he’s not actually played that much football.
Indeed, he’s played just eight Premier League games this term, but he’s now consistently being picked for important cup games, such as the matches against Benfica and Manchester City last week.
Mark Lawrenson believes that the 22-year-old is on the verge of being Klopp’s first-choice centre-half alongside Virgil van Dijk, but he states that he needs to learn more about how to play a high line before he makes that next step.
What’s been said?
Lawrenson was asked if he thinks Konate is now Klopp’s first-choice alongside van Dijk.
“Not yet, you only have to see against Benfica the other night, he doesn’t quite get the high line yet. That’s how Liverpool play and you can only play with the high line if there’s pressure on the passer in midfield, and if there isn’t you have to drop off a bit, I don’t think he’s quite got that yet. He’s almost there, but does he get in before Matip? No,” Lawrenson said.
Future is bright
Lawrenson says that Konate isn’t quite there yet in terms of understanding Liverpool’s high line, and that’s absolutely fine.
The 22-year-old is still so young, and he has two of the best mentors around in Joel Matip and van Dijk.
Konate’s abilities are there for all to see. He’s fast, strong, tall and confident on the ball, and while there is one part of his game that is slightly lacking, the right coaching should fix that rather quickly.
The future is very bright for Liverpool’s backline, and while Konate may not be a starter at the moment, it may not be long before he usurps Matip.
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