Hugo Ekitike describes Ibrahima Konate’s Liverpool performance against Burnley in new message
Ibrahima Konate was labelled as a ‘rock’ for his display against Burnley as Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League table.
Liverpool maintained their 100 per cent record with a last-ditch 1-0 victory at Turf Moor, courtesy of Mohamed Salah‘s injury-time penalty after a clear handball from Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri in the area.
Arne Slot‘s side looked likely to be held to a stalemate by newly-promoted Burnley even after upping the ante following Lesley Ugochukwu’s second yellow card, as Salah stepped up to fire home the points.
Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Konate were rarely tested at the back as Liverpool threw numbers forward for most of the match, and all three players’ places are assured in Slot’s starting XI despite speculation over Konate’s future in particular.
Ibrahima Konate ‘rock-solid’ in last-ditch Liverpool win
Konate’s starting spot has already come under scrutiny this season after a dismal opening-day display against Bournemouth, Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi, and Real Madrid‘s interest in the centre-back.
The Frenchman wasn’t on the pitch for Salah’s winning penalty in the 95th minute, after being withdrawn for Jeremie Frimpong in the 87th minute as Slot threw on his wing-back following Ugochukwu’s red card.
With a fourth straight win and back-to-back clean sheets secured by Liverpool to continue their Premier League title defence firmly on the front foot, Konate posted on Instagram with a message for Reds fans.
Konate’s message said “90+5” and a ‘fist’ emoji to reference the time of Salah’s spot-kick, and Reds striker Hugo Ekitike responded with an emoji of his own to label the defender as a ‘rock’.
Real Madrid set to intensify Ibrahima Konate transfer chase
Football Insider Verdict
Konate’s testing start to the season hasn’t tested Slot’s resolve to continue starting him in Liverpool’s backline alongside Van Dijk, preferred to Joe Gomez and new signing Giovanni Leoni by the Dutchman.
Liverpool’s unsuccessful pursuit of Guehi has aided Konate’s cause, but he too could soon have his eyes on the exit door with Real Madrid confident they can agree a deal for the out-of-contract defender.
Real Madrid have already plucked Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, and should his ‘rock-solid’ displays continue at the back, the Anfield faithful will hope that Konate eventually commits his future to the club.