Ibrahima Konate must maintain his fitness if Liverpool 2.0 is to succeed.

Like so many players in the team, Ibrahima Konaté has had its ups and downs in 2022/23 – although the centre-back was certainly one of Liverpool’s best performance options.

The France international looked practically at ease in the line-up since walking through the gate, although it’s fair to say there have been a few mistakes and hiccups along the way as well.

It’s no huge surprise given the team’s risk-taking approach and the easily forgotten youthfulness of the No.5 himself at times, but the reward for his greater number of great performances is indeed very high.

He’s one of the first names on the squad list for most fans, although it’s debatable whether that’s still down to his own skill set or whether potential challengers have fallen behind for that spot in the team.

Nonetheless, Konate is fundamentally an important part of the team’s plans for the present and the future and has already provided more than one winning performance for Jurgen Klopp’s side. We always want something more from a player who can certainly be so good that he is among the best in Europe.

But failing to realize his enormous potential is far from the most pressing issue of the season – and overall this year has been a step forward in his development as a player.

Unfortunately, the first half of the season was familiar for Konaté from his perspective: he was out too often, had to take a break due to injury, had to watch and couldn’t help the team.
On the one hand, his absence during this period makes him escape the worst criticism of the team, a largely diabolical time, especially in defense.

On the other hand, of course, he could have helped the Reds not be so bad or had alternatives, pushed the competition for places or who knows maybe show some form to just fight and fill all the gaps. many, many gaps that remained. . Between the season opener and the 2023 opener, Ibou played 111 minutes in the Premier League. It only started once.

Remarkably – or not, it’s up to you – Liverpool won the game he started in and also won the two Champions League group games he was available for.

Nonetheless, he went to the World Cup with just 280 minutes of action; a pathetically low record for a reputed first-choice centre-back.

Yet on the rare occasions he was there, he showed his worth – and did it again for France in Qatar. There he played all three group stage matches with two starts, then played fantastically in the semi-final as well, before getting a final cameo in the final itself.

No glory in the end, but definitely a good example of what he’s capable of in short periods.

From a Liverpool perspective, it was great to see him return to fitness and contribute great performances, but he was frustrated that he hadn’t been able to do that since August.

With a week or two more on reaching the final, Ibou didn’t return to the lineup until 2 January, but that only coincided with the team’s worst performance of the whole season – 3-0 against Brentford, 3-0 against Brighton.

Another brief enforced absence meant Konate effectively missed the start of what was the new Liverpool, so his return to the team – home of Wolves in March and only his fifth league start to the season – was the his first taste of a decidedly different function.

The biggest knock-on effects of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s change of role are being felt by defenders on both sides of Virgil van Dijk: normally the right centre-back and left-back, now perhaps just the defenders in a trio. possessed.

Konate still has all his usual duties to perform in the defensive stages, but beyond that, when the Reds have the ball, he needs to filter wider to take possession into the channel, snapping that side for cover when teams counter their left wing and often up until signing, an old-fashioned right-back per position.

Fortunately, he has all the qualities to play this diverse and extensive role.

Konate’s speed on the ground has already proven vital, but his willingness to be super aggressive in the tackle, relentless at attacking forwards when they get the play, and his all-round physical dominance also make him extremely difficult to get around, especially when trying to run. on longer balls in the channels.

Add to that general aerial play and defensive awareness at a more normal midpoint, and he remains an exceptionally talented young defender with plenty of room for improvement. Part of the reason for the Reds’ improved results in the closing weeks of the season was surely due to his ability to take on and lead his new approach in the team.

However, there is certainly a lot of work that needs to be done to provide the necessary organization and protection for him.

It really shouldn’t be a big question of what happens next for Konate.
His age, cap and current physical and technical ability make him a prime candidate to play a leading role in Klopp’s latest rebuild.

There were tentative rumors earlier in the summer of players fitting or replacing Konate’s role, such as Jules Kounde, but given the level of investment required elsewhere, it would be surprising to see a right centre-back be brought in to challenge Ibou. 

With Van Dijk once again failing to display the consistent world-class level he is capable of this year, there is certainly reason to believe that Konate, if he keeps fit, could establish himself as the team’s main defender in future. 

There are still aspects of his game that can be improved – resilience, consistency from behind and a focus on keeping the line – but he has so many tools to work with that it’s hard to do anything but see long-term success.

Best moment: The performance against Leicester was perhaps his best of the season and showed his importance as a cover player in our right-back chain.
Worst moment: Back-to-back games against Brentford and Brighton were disastrous straight after his injury.