Jamie Carragher says Virgil van Dijk has a trait of Premier League great as he questions Ibrahima Konate

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Virgil van Dijk is one of the best defenders in the Premier League by some distance.

The Dutchman has been a towering colossus for as long as many can remember, and without him, it’s hard to imagine where Liverpool would be at the moment.

The fact Van Dijk has chosen to extend his Anfield stay by a further two years shows how important he is to the club, as well as where things are likely to be headed in the near future.

And, after Arne Slot rested Liverpool’s captain in their 3-2 defeat against Brighton on Monday, it was evident how much they missed him leading their defensive line, even though Ibrahima Konate had an opportunity to prove his worth.

In fact, Van Dijk’s absence was so obvious that Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher compared him with a Premier League great while also making a jibe at Konate’s less-than-impressive performance.

Jamie Carragher likens Virgil van Dijk to John Terry after Liverpool’s performance against Brighton

Monday’s defeat against Brighton showcased to many why Slot simply refused to allow some of his fringe players to feature in a long run of games during the 2024-25 season.

A lot of questions have also surrounded Konate this term due to the fact that his contract is set to expire in 2026.

The France international has often been helped along by Van Dijk, with the Dutchman having the ability to make those around him look a lot better.

Indeed, with the way things ended on Monday night, that’s the point Carragher has stated himself.

On the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, the former defender said: “Konate, I said before the [Brighton] game that I was really interested to watch [him].”

“Liverpool have had a lot of centre-backs who have played alongside Van Dijk, and people always say that [partnership] is the best in the league, and I always think, is it?

“Or is he [Van Dijk] just that good that the fella next to him looks [good].

“That’s what great centre-backs do, they make other people look good, that’s how I think of Tony Adams or John Terry, the great centre-backs.”

Ibrahima Konate must do better when Virgil van Dijk isn’t starting for Liverpool

It would be silly for Liverpool to allow another fiasco similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation to occur in the 2025-26 season, but it does feel like the Frenchman needs to step things up a gear or two when called upon.

While he may look more than solid next to Van Dijk, he needs to be able to perform to those same standards when the Dutchman isn’t available.

Because, as much as Van Dijk would likely want to, he can’t play each game for Liverpool, as there are too many in a season for that to happen.

The good news for Reds fans is that Konate appears likely to extend his stay at Anfield as talks with Richard Hughes have already begun.

However, if he wants to be seen as the next leader of Liverpool’s back four, he needs to step things up a gear or two as a matter of urgency.