Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger explains how highly he rates Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate

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Ibrahima Konate has enjoyed a strong start to the season under Arne Slot and has played a pivotal role in spearheading Liverpool to the top of the Premier League standings.

The French international was benched for the opening game of the season against Ipswich Town but came on at halftime in place of Jarell Quansah as the Englishman looked a bit out of sorts.

Since then, there’s been no looking back for Konate, who has forged a fantastic partnership with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the backline.

Amid his rich vein of form, Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has stated just how highly he rates the Frenchman.

Antonio Rudiger says Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is underrated

Rudiger named Van Dijk, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes as the three best central defenders in world football currently in no particular order but was also quick to single out Konate for special praise.

“I could also mention Konate, I like his game, he’s doing very well,” said Rudiger on The Inside Scoop podcast.

Read More: What Virgil van Dijk privately did to help Ibrahima Konate get back to his best for Liverpool

The Real Madrid defender, who has become an indispensable member of the starting XI since joining the club from Chelsea, feels Konate remains a bit underrated despite his exploits for club and country in recent years.

Rudiger continued: “He’s a bit under the radar, I don’t know why but I also rate him very high.”

Assessing Konate’s Liverpool career so far

Konate signed for Liverpool from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021 for a fee believed to be in the region of £36m and has repaid the Reds’ faith in him in some style.

In his first season at the club, Jurgen Klopp’s side won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup and narrowly missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City, while they also lost the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid.

Read More: Ibrahima Konate shares what Arne Slot told the Liverpool players at half-time against Wolves

Konate is undoubtedly Van Dijk’s ideal central defensive partner when fully fit, but injuries have reduced him to just 98 appearances in over three seasons for the club.

If the Frenchman somehow manages to stay fit for a prolonged period, he has everything it takes to become one of the best central defenders in world football.