Alan Shearer was impressed with Ibrahima Konate’s performance for Liverpool this evening in the FA Cup against Arsenal.
The French international was named in the starting XI with Virgil van Dijk missing the fixture through illness, with Konate a rock in Liverpool’s backline against Arsenal.
Alongside Jarell Quansah, the £36m signing from RB Leipzig was a man mountain against the likes of Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, who both struggled on the night.
And speaking on BBC Sport’s coverage of the match, Shearer was full of praise for Konate, who was one of Liverpool’s best players at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal.
Indeed, the French defender is back to his best after fighting with injury and form this season, and Konate was rightly praised for his display in north London this evening.
Shearer said: “That’s what you call backing your teammate up. Trent was beaten there, he needed a little bit of help there and it’s exactly what Konate did, great defending.”
Ibrahima Konate was a giant for Liverpool vs Arsenal
Konate needed to step up tonight with Van Dijk ruled out at the last minute through illness, and the French international did just that for Liverpool.
The centre-back was nothing short of immense for the Reds this evening, with Konate showing why he is the present and future of Liverpool’s defence.
With Van Dijk now out for an unspecified amount of time, it could be Konate’s moment to become the main man for Liverpool at the back, with his first test tonight passing in flying colours.
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