Ibrahima Konate sends STRONG contract message to Liverpool

Liverpool have only signed one centre-back in their last seven transfer windows.

Fortunately, the last recruit they brought in was Ibrahima Konate, who has quickly become one of the club's most important assets.

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The 25-year-old Frenchman has been concrete in defence all season long and had he not been injured for a month in December, then Liverpool might have secured themselves a double-digit lead over Premier League title rivals Arsenal.

For the time being, the Reds will have to suffice with a six-point lead with a game in hand on the Gunners, and despite taking a couple of games to return to his former levels, Konate is now back to full fitness.

His latest display alongside Virgil Van Dijk against Ipswich Town yesterday was a sight to behold as the Reds drifted past the Tractor Boys with a steady 4-1 win at Anfield.

Liverpool's defiant defensive domination of Ipswich

While still regarded as one of the best centre-back partnerships in the Premier League, Konate and Van Dijk have been long overshadowed by Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, who often take the headlines.

But against Ipswich, the pair showcased the best of their capabilities in a performance that left Ipswich with little to no chance of a breakthrough at Anfield for almost 90 minutes.

Konate was involved in 14 duels throughout the game, winning eight of his 10 ground duels and all four of his aerial duels. Partnering with him, Van Dijk won both of his two ground duels and four of his five aerial duels, making it 18 duels won out of 21 contested.

In addition, the Frenchman won five tackles while the captain turned his alternate focus to delivering long balls to the midfield and the forwards.

As far as defensive units go, the team could not have delivered a more statement performance, although much to Arne Slot's annoyance, the team still found a way to concede in the dying embers of the game.

Of course, we must consider the fact that as spirited as Ipswich might have been before being shutout from the game, they are a team that has struggled this season since being promoted from the Championship and it would've been an enormous shock if Liverpool were to have squandered the game.

But on their day, the Tractor Boys are capable of turning anyone over, see their win over Chelsea last month at Portman Road and their defiant effort against Tottenham away in November.

The players needed to be on their game if they were to keep Liam Delap quiet and that is exactly what happened. As noted by Michael Reid, the striker won just three of his 19 duels in the contest and across 79 minutes, he failed to register a shot at goal - on target or otherwise.

Our upcoming games include visits to Bournemouth, Manchester City and Everton, with Anfield hosting Newcastle among it all, so the challenge ahead of the Reds - if they are to win the Premier League - is enormous and the team will have to lock in.

So while for now Konate is focused on the job at hand, Liverpool will have to carefully assess their options as he is currently deciding against signing a contract extension until the situation with his teammates Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk is resolved.

Having sprung upon a gem of a defender, the club cannot afford to lose him.

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