Liverpool currently occupies the top spot on the Premier League table, and they are gearing up for an upcoming match against AFC Bournemouth.
Jurgen Klopp openly admitted that he hasn’t been impressed by Ibrahima Konate’s recent performances for Liverpool. However, Klopp anticipates that the defender will eventually meet the high standards expected of him.
Despite Klopp’s reservations, Konate has been showcasing excellent form for the Premier League leaders. The French international delivered dominant performances in crucial encounters against title rivals Arsenal, as well as in victories over West Ham United, Newcastle United, and Fulham.
It’s worth noting that Konate, who faced injury issues in his previous two campaigns at Anfield, has successfully completed the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s last three matches.
With Joel Matip sidelined due to a knee injury, Konate has solidified his position as Virgil van Dijk’s preferred center-back partner. Klopp expressed his admiration for Konate’s recent performances but admitted he was “not too impressed” when discussing Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth on Sunday. Klopp stated:
“Not too impressed, to be honest, it’s just what I expect from him because that’s what he is able to do.
“I thought our last line in particular did really well in all positions. Jarell Quansah did exceptionally well. Virgil [van Dijk] plays a great season, Joe Gomez. In this moment of time, we are top of the table so can you get there if the boys are not performing on a pretty high level? But for us it’s essential.
“All the numbers you have over a season, most of them you can kind of ignore, forget – the number of goals conceded, you never can ignore.
“Of course, that’s not Ibou Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip or whatever, that’s the whole team. This is the thing we have to keep in our mind:
“that everything starts with a top defence and a top defensive idea and a common defensive idea. If that’s good or really good or super-good then you can start playing football and think about that. But without stability, we shouldn’t even try.”
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