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Ibou Konate says he didn’t realise how good Virgil van Dijk was before leaving Leipzig

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Image for Ibou Konate says he didn’t realise how good Virgil van Dijk was before leaving Leipzig

Ibrahima Konate has spoken candidly about Virgil van Dijk, sharing that the Dutch centre-back is even better than he thought before he joined Liverpool.

It’s not the first time someone has said in the last week after Arne Slot also admitted he was also surprised by just how good the Liverpool no.4 is.

Van Dijk is supremely talented and arguably the best centre-back in the world this season. He and Konate have formed a wonderful partnership at the heart of the Liverpool defence, enabling the more attack-minded players at the club to fly forward.

Without the duo, Liverpool’s style of play would look a lot different given how difficult it is to replicate what they are accomplishing together.

Ibou can’t believe how good van Dijk really is

“What a defender!” he said of van Dijk in a recent matchday programme. “I think if we talk about him and what he has done, it’s unbelievable.

“I have a very good relationship with Virgil on the pitch and outside of the pitch. And when I came here as a 21-year-old he gave me a lot of advice and helped me with my adaptation here.

“When I was in Leipzig I watched some games of Liverpool and I didn’t realise how good he was. Then when I came here, sometimes I’d think, ‘No! How is this possible?’ And now I think because he’s too good, some strikers see Virgil and are just thinking: ‘I have no chance against him.’

“On the pitch I need him and I think it’s the same way for him, hopefully! I know how good he can be for me and we just work together and try to be the best partnership in the world.

“For me personally, before I had my injury [in late November] I think we were on the top level and I think a lot of people felt that as well, but we know that we just have to keep going in this way.”

Together, the pair could guide Liverpool to multiple trophies this season if injuries can be prevented. Konate is particularly prone to knocks and muscle strains but if he can remain fit, Slot should be optimistic of his side’s chances of tasing silverware success this season.

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