'Is there a flaw?': Gary Lineker thinks Ibrahima Konate might be PERFECT

© IMAGO

Liverpool have kept four clean sheets in their opening six games this season, only conceding two goals on the process.

Arne Slot has solidified the Reds’ defence, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate clearly his preferred centre back pairing.

The Liverpool captain Van Dijk has been one of the very best in the world in his position for a number of years but Konate has been in and out of the starting XI since he arrived in Merseyside, facing some injuries and being displaced by Jarell Quansah at the end of last season.

Bar the first 45 minutes of Liverpool’s opener against Ipswich Town, Konate has been the centre back to play alongside Van Dijk, and he has been impressing many with his displays.

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Lineker on Konate: is there a flaw?

Konate opened his account for the season with a goal against AC Milan and also picked up his first assist against Bournemouth on Saturday.

On The Rest Is Football YouTube channel, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards discussed the Frenchman in detail after Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at the San Siro.

“[Konate] is quick, he’s strong, he’s big, he’s good in the air, seems to be, you know, intelligent in his defensive work. Is there a flaw?” Lineker asked Richards.

“There is always a flaw in defenders,” Richards replied. “When Konate’s come into the team, he’s aggressive, he’s powerful, he takes a lot of chances. Sometimes positioning-wise, he’s a bit like me in my career where you back your physical attributes to get you out of trouble.

“Sometimes, on the ball, I feel like he takes a few risks, a few more risks than he would like to.

“You’re looking at Liverpool, even in the past when they were winning the league, it’s always been Van Dijk and another. I think now for Konate, he has to make that his own. He’s young enough, he’s got the ability, it’s just doing it on a consistent basis now.”

© IMAGO - Ibrahima Konate Liverpool

Liverpool’s impressive defensive record

The Reds have already kept four clean sheets in their six Premier League games this season. For comparison, last season they only kept 10 clean sheets in 38 games.

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It is clear to see that Slot has improved Liverpool’s defence and in doing so has gotten the best out of Van Dijk and Konate.

Now, Konate has the chance to cement himself in Slot’s starting XI by continuing his good form for the rest of the season.

Van Dijk is out of contract at the end of the season and could leave Anfield, although talks are set to begin soon over a new deal, and if the Dutchman does leave Konate will have to step up and be the main man in this Liverpool defence.

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