Ibrahima Konate‘s inventory has fallen over the previous 12 months, with the Frenchman now going through a battle to remain Virgil van Dijk‘s common centre-back accomplice.
The 25-year-old loved a extremely spectacular first two years in Liverpool shirt, as one in every of Europe’s most imposing younger central defenders.
Whereas the 2023/24 season was anticipated to see Konate go up one other gear, accidents and new competitors are actually clouding his function at Anfield.
Ibrahima Konate, 2023/24
Began: 29 (All competitions)On as an alternative: 8Unused sub: 13Goals: 0Assists: 1Overall Season Score: 6.57
Moments of brilliance, however ousted by Quansah
When the brand new season started, there have been few debates over who needs to be beginning alongside Van Dijk, with Konate a implausible possibility who performs usually for a world-class France workforce.
Joel Matip‘s age and the creeping expiry of his contract would work in opposition to him, whereas Jarell Quansah remained an unknown to many.
Konate began effectively, together with his tempo and energy all the time an amazing weapon to have, particularly in a Liverpool facet all the time keen to depart themselves open defensively.
His front-footed strategy properly complemented Van Dijk’s much less aggressive model, and it seemed as if Liverpool’s No. 5 was solely getting higher.
It didn’t even take till September for Konate to undergo his first damage, nevertheless, in what was an indication of issues to return.
The truth is, by the point November arrived, he had began simply 4 video games within the Premier League.
For a lot of the marketing campaign, Konate was spectacular when match, not least within the win away to Arsenal within the FA Cup.
A month earlier, Konate was equally spectacular within the 2-0 victory at Sheffield United within the league, profitable an unbelievable 19 duels, beating Van Dijk’s earlier season-high tally of 14 at house to West Ham.
Because the marketing campaign went on, nevertheless, there was a noticeable dip in Konate’s efficiency.
Sloppiness crept in on the ball, to not point out a penchant for being overly bodily and conceding harmful free-kicks.
Jurgen Klopp then dropped Konate for his ultimate month in cost, with Quansah deservedly ousting him from the beginning lineup.
That may have appeared unthinkable again in August and it was a disappointing approach for Konate’s season to finish, as he performed no half in Klopp’s farewell matches.
The truth is, his ultimate minutes of the season got here within the woeful loss at Everton on April 24, producing a three-out-of-10 efficiency.
For the primary time, there are long-term doubts over Konate, with health the primary purpose for that.
Accidents an enormous downside now
Liverpool’s season was adversely affected by accidents – it’s a miracle that they remained within the title race for thus lengthy – and Konate was a type of who missed a piece of motion.
The previous RB Leipzig man began solely 17 of the Reds’ 38 league matches, which isn’t sufficient if you wish to be the longer term chief of the defence.
Konate’s skill has lengthy held him up because the pure inheritor to Van Dijk when the Liverpool captain finally departs, however can Arne Slot depend on him transferring ahead?
The Frenchman’s incapability to remain injury-free is turning into an actual challenge, with Klopp having to handle his minutes fastidiously.
That is by means of no fault of Konate’s, it needs to be pressured, and he can be extra pissed off than anybody, however comprehensible issues are creeping in.
Based on Transfermarkt, he has now missed 89 matches in his profession by means of damage, lots of which have been muscle points moderately than influence accidents.
For a 25-year-old, that’s alarming – and highlights the headache that Slot faces.
Further gear wanted, with fewer accidents
On the face of it, Konate is an excellent possibility for Slot when he is available in, nonetheless having his peak years forward of him and possessing many nice attributes.
Lightning-fast, sturdy within the sort out and good at bringing the ball out, he needs to be seen as one of many Premier League‘s greatest defenders.
On his day, Konate is strictly that, however these days really feel all too uncommon, when it comes to him being at optimum health and in prime type.
His injury-prone nature implies that Slot should herald at the least one new centre-back, offering extra cowl if Konate faces additional spells on the sidelines.
There isn’t a indication that Liverpool will quit on their No. 5, not least with studies of optimistic talks over a contract extension.
However the subsequent 12 months virtually really feel like an audition for Konate, when it comes to displaying that he’s the longer term boss of the defence and somebody who could be relied upon.
Greatest second: A Man of the Match displaying at Arsenal within the FA Cup.
Worst second: The accidents. But once more.
Function subsequent season: Key participant, if match.