Gabriel Agbonlahor raves about ‘rapid’ Liverpool defender and claims he would hate to play against him

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Liverpool’s good start to the season has been built on the bedrock of an incredibly sturdy defence.

The Reds have conceded just three goals in eight Premier League games so far and only one in three outings in the Champions League.

Throughout much of that time, Arne Slot has decided to go with the same back four. Trent Alexander-Arnold was always going to be Liverpool’s starting right-back this season, while Virgil van Dijk is another shoo-in at centre-back.

Andy Robertson is clearly the best left-back in the Liverpool squad and although he’s been rotated with Kostas Tsimikas on occasion, remains the first choice.

For who should partner Van Dijk in the middle, though, Slot had options heading into the season.

Jarell Quansah started the campaign next to the captain, but since being hauled off against Ipswich on opening day, Quansah has ceded his spot to Ibrahima Konate. And what a job Konate has done.

Gabriel Agbonlahor praises ‘rapid’ Ibrahima Konate

There were questions marks over Konate as the season began. Big ones, too.

But having started all 10 of Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League games since opening day, the Frenchman has answered them all emphatically.

Clearly now Slot’s first pick as partner for Van Dijk, the hope is that Konate can stay fit and continue to improve.

Between them, Virgil and Ibou make up an outstanding pairing and although the Dutchman will always be the headline act, his younger teammate is proving to be a faultless support act.

READ MORE: Arne Slot delivers injury update on three players ahead of Liverpool vs Arsenal

On paper, Konate simply has everything a defender needs. And speaking on TalkSPORT (25/10/24 8.15am), former England striker Gabriel Agbonlahor admitted that he’d hate to play against the Reds No.5.

“We get carried away maybe with Saliba and Gabriel, and rightly so because they are top defenders, but Konate… oof!” raved the pundit.

“Sometimes I look at it, I was a striker, a quick striker, I look at defenders, who I wouldn’t want to play against – Konate, no, I do not, thank you very much. Rapid, strong, good on the ball, aggressive, Van Dijk as well. They let Trent go forward because they can cover him.”

Ibrahima Konate set for long-term Liverpool stay

Between Van Dijk and Konate Liverpool have two of the best centre-backs in European football.

In our opinion Van Dijk is still the absolute best and it is a big boost for Ibou to play alongside such an accomplished partner.

But with the Dutch defender now 33, he isn’t going to be around forever. At some stage there’s likely to be an expectation for Konate to pick up the mantle.

Thankfully, Konate looks set to sign a new contract at Liverpool in order to allow him to do that.

With his current terms set to run out in 2026, it seems likely that a new deal will stretch to 2029 or possibly even 2030. Agbonlahor is right, Konate is the real deal. And he looks set to be in it for the long-haul at Anfield.