Alisson Becker singles out Ibrahima Konate for special prase after 1-1 Arsenal draw

Alisson Becker feels Ibrahima Konate produced one of his best performances in a Liverpool shirt in the Reds' 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Anfield. 

The two Premier League giants shared the spoils after Gabriel Magalhaes' early goal was canceled out by Mohamed Salah in what was an entertaining game of football. Starting at the heart of the backline alongside Virgil van Dijk, Konate held his nerve against the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka as he emerged as one of Liverpool's best players on the night.

Speaking after the game, Alisson highlighted Konate's improvement, adding that the Frenchman's ability belies his age. He said (quotes via Liverpoolfc.com): “I agree, it was one of the best [performances]. Ibou, everybody knows how strong he is, and he is improving season after season. He’s still young, as he is a big and strong man I think nobody realises that, but he is still young and he is improving, being a more mature player alongside Virgil.

"They did an amazing game, but not only them. They did an amazing game because everybody helped them to do their job. But in the one-v-one situations against [Gabriel] Martinelli, against [Bukayo] Saka, against Gabriel Jesus, they are amazing strikers, and the way they defended was amazing.”

Konate started the game poorly as Gabriel got ahead of him inside the penalty area to break the deadlock for Arsenal, but the 24-year-old showed his class as he made amends for his early error. He was particularly impressive against Martinelli, who didn't get much joy on the right flank as Konate thwarted every attack that came his way.

With Joel Matip injured and Joe Gomez set to deputized at left-back in the absence of Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, Konate's place at the heart of the Liverpool backline is set in stone, at least for the time being.