Virgil van Dijk blown away by how much ‘fantastic’ Liverpool player has developed

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Liverpool have been outstanding under Arne Slot this season, with the Reds top of the Premier League after six games.

The Dutch coach has been a revelation after succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Anfield with Slot getting the best out of players who had previously struggled under the former Liverpool boss, namely Luis Diaz and Ryan Gravenberch.

With Slot landing on a system that works with what he’s got, Liverpool look in good shape to be a real force in the Premier League and in Europe in the first half of the season, with the Reds likely to move for some players in the January window.

And Virgil van Dijk has been impressed with the development of one player already this season.

Van Dijk in awe with Ibrahima Konate’s development at Liverpool

Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, the Reds’ captain showered Ibrahima Konate with praise after the defender’s performance against Wolves on Saturday, with the France international showing that he has developed quite a bit.

Although Gary Neville singled out Konate for criticism for his role in Wolves’ equalising goal, the 25-year-old still enjoyed a good game at Molineux, and Van Dijk has been impressed with what he is now seeing from the defender.

READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk from his tattoo to net worth

Van Dijk said: “We need everyone to be at their best. Ibou is an amazing, fantastic player who can still be better. He is defensively solid and was a bit unlucky with the goal that we conceded but the qualities he has, he is outstanding.

“He is learning and he is growing, getting better and looking after himself much better, to be ready every three days — and also he has a young player behind him in Jarell [Quansah] who is also a good one, so they keep pushing each other.”

Konate can become a top Premier League defender if he can stay fit

Michael Owen noted how Konate could one day become as good as Van Dijk after the centre-back’s performance against Wolves on Saturday, with Micah Richards also lauding the France international for his display on the weekend.

And with Van Dijk now backing Konate to become even better than he currently is, there’s a real chance that the former RB Leipzig star could become one of the best defenders in the Premier League if he can remain fully for a season.

Indeed, fitness has been the main issue with Konate since making the move to England, and for Liverpool fans, they will hope the defender can remain healthy this season after a strong start to the new campaign under Slot.