Why Ibrahima Konate can be a huge signing for Liverpool
According to BILD (h/t Express), Liverpool have turned their attention to Ibrahima Konate of RB Leipzig. The Frenchman has a release clause of £45million. While his centre-back partner Dayot Upamecano was said to be of interest to Liverpool, they have seemingly now reverted it to Konate.
Liverpool have been ravaged with injuries this season
As Fabinho and Jordan Henderson lined up in defence against Southampton and Manchester United, it was clear that Liverpool had reached the bottom of the barrel. Without even one recognised senior centre-back in the side, the two midfielders had to play in defence. The result wasn’t really surprising.
From being clear favourites last season during this time to handing the initiative to Manchester United within a few weeks, Liverpool have been hit hard this season. For large parts of their dominating season last year, they had very few injuries to deal with. It has all come flooding this season, with most of their first-choice defenders being out for significant chunks of the season.
The injuries to Van Dijk and Joe Gomez have somewhat crippled the side and it has shown this season. They have already lost three games this season and have dropped more points via some stalemates as well.
That was always going to be the case when your the team’s best defender is ruled out for the season with an ACL injury. While it looks imperative that the club needs to bring in a new central defender in January, Jurgen Klopp has ruled out the same (h/t Daily Mail).
Konate’s addition could help the club to a large extent
Liverpool are not known to panic buy and rightly so. But this time, they really need at least one centre-back this month. Ibrahima Konate fits the bill of what Liverpool are looking for. The Leipzig youngster is one of the up and coming defenders in Europe.
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He was a part of the Leipzig side that went to the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. Despite his young age, he is a competent defender who has a fair amount of experience.
In Konate, Liverpool will be getting a long-term asset and should splurge out the money that Leipzig want. They could really use a player of Konate’s calibre and potential. They must try to sign the 21-year-old starlet.
