So many Liverpool players have stepped up to earn an enhanced reputation amongst supporters so far this season.
Some already had plenty of credit in the bank, of course. Players such as Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker are already true legends of the club.
For others, though, the jury remained out after a season that ultimately ended in disappointment for Liverpool last time out.
One of the players to have struggled more than most during a poor end to last term was Ibrahima Konate.
Konate’s place in the starting XI was very much under threat, with Jarell Quansah starting the season as the preferred partner for Van Dijk.
The Frenchman has roared back in impressive fashion, though. And having seen Konate put in another top display against Aston Villa, former Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor says he’s spotted fans doing something special for their No.5.
Liverpool fans showing love for Ibrahima Konate
Amongst a number of viable candidates, Konate has a claim to have been Liverpool’s best player so far this season.
The 25-year-old looks completely refreshed in Arne Slot’s system and has been a big part of the reason Liverpool have conceded only six goals in 11 Premier League matches.
After his latest display against Villa, Agbonlahor saw fit to include him in his Team of the Week for TalkSPORT.
While justifying his selection, the pundit says that he’s noticed Liverpool fans shouting Konate’s name loudly during matches.
READ MORE: Ibrahima Konate spotted telling Alexis Mac Allister he was ‘so bad’ against Aston Villa
“You can tell how much Liverpool fans love him,” says Agbonlahor.
“Whenever he makes an interception, they shout his name and, for me, he is an outstanding defender.
“He’s strong, aggressive, can play as well. Quick. Whenever Aston Villa players like Rogers or Watkins tried to get past him, he just got the ball off them straightaway, no problem. Aggressive, and a top defender.”
Two more Reds in Agbonlahor’s team of the week
Konate really is coming into his own this season. The fans do love him as well, it’s always great to hear the sound of “IBOUUUU!” sounding around Anfield whenever the centre-back makes a decisive intervention.
But Konate was not the only Liverpool star to have impressed Agbonlahor this week. The 38-year-old also included Caoimhin Kelleher and Salah in his best Premier League XI.
“I thought he was outstanding against Aston Villa,” he said on Kelleher. “Some of the saves from the set-pieces, especially in the first half, were outstanding and kept Liverpool with that one-goal lead until Salah got the second late in the second half. I thought he was outstanding. And also his distribution was very good as well.”
On Salah, Agbonlahor admitted that Villa simply could not deal with what the Egyptian was serving up.
“He was back to best, what can say, my old team Aston Villa couldn’t deal with him,” he said. “An outstanding performance by Mo Salah”
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