Ibrahima Konaté has a brilliant effect on Liverpool, says Jamie Carragher. The Frenchman was wonderful against Tottenham.
Ibrahima Konaté finally started a Premier League game on Sunday as Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 away. Mohamed Salah stole the show, of course, scoring both goals for the Reds.
But Konaté made a massive difference here. Jamie Carragher took to Twitter to highlight that – the defender transforms the side.
“Big result for Liverpool!” wrote Carragher. “Mo Salah sensational, [Darwin] Nunez causing chaos as usual & Konate makes the team quicker & more powerful!”
Jamie Carragher hails Ibrahima Konaté
Carragher is undoubtedly on the money here. Konaté offered so much protection for Liverpool, particularly as a covering defender for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
One first-half moment showed that off. Alexander-Arnold charged out to challenge Ryan Sessegnon for the ball but got there second, allowing the Spurs player the other side of him. Konaté moved across quickly, however, sweeping up the ball.
That would usually have led to a chance. Konaté is so quick across the pitch that Liverpool get away with so much more. Defenders and midfielders can take a few more risks and he’s fantastic security alongside Virgil van Dijk.
All Liverpool need now is for him to remain fit. Konaté picked up an injury in the final pre-season friendly, ruling him out for weeks. Another issue on his return then led to another absence.
It’s only now that we’re finally seeing Konaté play back-to-back games. Of course, it’s right before the World Cup break – club football stops again in a week’s time.
Hopefully, that break does Konaté good and we can see the best of him post-World Cup. Having the defender at his best makes Liverpool far more dynamic, as Carragher says, and he could help this season turn around.
That’s certainly the impression we’ve gotten over these last two games.
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