Pundit issues ‘huge’ Ibrahima Konate claim after shattering Liverpool development
Ibrahima Konate will walk back into the Liverpool starting XI when he returns from injury, according to Alan Hutton.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa, Rangers and Scotland defender admitted Konate’s injury was “not ideal” but he is still the first-choice to partner Virgil van Dijk.
Jurgen Klopp revealed in a press conference on Friday (5 August) that the 22-year-old will be out for “some time” as he admitted that the Frenchman’s injury was a “massive blow”.
Joel Matip lined up alongside Van Dijk as the Reds drew 2-2 with newly-promoted Fulham in their opening Premier League game on Saturday (6 August).
Asked whether Konate’s injury could stop him from establishing himself as the preferred partner for Van Dijk, Hutton told Football Insider correspondent Charlotte Cohen: “No.
“He’s still young, for me, personally, he and Van Dijk are a unit to be reckoned with. I don’t think any striker would like to come up against either player, to be honest he’s a huge player.
“Him having an injury is not ideal, especially after pre-season when you’ve put in all the work.
“At Liverpool, you expect top-quality players in every position so he’s always going to have to fight for his spot, within the team.
“Going forward, those two look like the partnership. You’ve also got the likes of Gomez fighting to get in and it will be very difficult.
“It’s not ideal but I still believe he will be one of the main starters.”
Konate played 29 games across all competitions for Liverpool in his debut campaign last season.
That included starts in the Champions League and EFL Cup final as well as an appearance off the bench in the FA Cup final.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed the “sky is the limit” for Liverpool amid a business reveal that “changes everything”.