‘Look at his attributes’: Joe Gomez amazed by Ibrahima Konate

Add as preferred source on Google

Joe Gomez holds Ibrahima Konate in very high regard. The two of them played together for the first time against Norwich City.

Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate look like the partnership of the future. Both are under 25 but very experienced for their respective ages. Both fit Liverpool’s style wonderfully well, too, as ball-playing centre-backs with natural athleticism.

It seems we’re not the only ones excited at the prospect, either. Gomez himself spoke of his admiration for Konate after the pair played together on Tuesday.

They kept a clean sheet as Liverpool beat Norwich City 3-0 in the EFL Cup. It was a great win for the side captained by Gomez and he had nothing but praise for his centre-back partner after the game.

Gomez on Ibrahima Konate

“Ibou is a top guy and an unbelievable player,” Gomez said, per the Liverpool Echo. “Look at his attributes, you can see how good he is.

“When I was younger I had Virgil [van Dijk], but Ibou is already experienced, he’s already a top player, he’s played in the Champions League.

“It’s just enjoyable playing alongside him, we both relish being young centre-backs trying to prove ourselves.”

It’s very high praise from a Premier League and Champions League-winning centre-back. Gomez appears to believe that Konate is ahead of where he was at his age.

Gomez is two years older, after all, and did have the luxury of developing alongside Van Dijk for a few years. That helped push him into the player he is today – one who trusts his centre-back partners and is capable of leading the defence.

We saw that against Norwich as he frequently charged out of the backline to shut down attacks. He relied on Konate sweeping up behind him, which the Frenchman did well.

We can’t wait to see how these two develop alongside one another, then. As Gomez says, Konate has incredible attributes for such a young player – partner that alongside a 24-year-old who has accomplished so much already, and you’ve got an exciting long-term defence.