Chris Sutton has stated that Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konta needs to ‘step up’, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
The former Premier League striker pointed out that Liverpool ‘spent a lot of money’ on the player.
In the summer, whilst Liverpool’s Premier League rivals went crazy in the transfer market, including breaking British transfer records.
Those on Merseyside remained quiet and only brought in Konate as their senior signing of the summer from RB Leipzig for £36 million (Sky Sports).
Whilst he hasn’t been a regular for Jurgen Klopp, he has been dropped in now and then by his manager, both in the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup.
Overall, it has been a strong start for the hard-hitting defender, even though life was difficult for him against Harry Kane and Co. at the weekend.
When it was put to Sutton, whilst speaking to a Liverpool supporter, that Konate is still a ‘kid’, he made it clear that they aren’t a ‘development club’.
“Are you happy with Konate?” asked Sutton. “Spent a lot of money on him. He may be a kid, but he has been brought in with a big reputation.
“Liverpool are about winning big trophies, they aren’t a development club. So, you are saying he is a kid, (but) he needs to step up.”
The simple truth is that Liverpool struggle a lot more without Virgil van Dijk in the side than they do with any other player in their team – although Mo Salah would have something to say about that.
The Reds will always continue to bomb forward, especially their fullbacks, but with Van Dijk at the back, he can take on anything and anyone.
Konate is still in the early years of his career and many on Merseyside will be hoping he can take the throne from Van Dijk once he steps out of the limelight.
But, in the meantime, there isn’t a better player to learn and feed off than the ice-cool Dutchman.
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