Virgil van Dijk handed big ‘boost’ v Man City after new Liverpool development – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed the return of Ibrahima Konate could give Virgil van Dijk a much-needed “boost” after his sub-par start to the season at Liverpool.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the pair are among the “best centre-backs in the world”.
Van Dijk, 31, and Konate, 23, started together as Liverpool registered an emphatic 7-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox on Wednesday (12 October).
The France international was making his first start of the season after suffering a leg injury on the eve of the season-opener against Fulham.
Van Dijk has come under fire for his performances this term, while other centre-back option Joel Matip has also struggled for fitness.
Liverpool are languishing in 10th place in the Premier League after winning just two of their first eight games.
Whelan suggested even Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland will not be looking forward to facing Konate and Van Dijk on Sunday (16 October).
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “They’re two formidable centre-halves.
“I’m not sure too many centre-forwards would want to play against those two. It’s going to be a real battle with Haaland on Sunday.
“It’s not like he can pull onto a weaker one, because I think they’re two of the best centre-backs in the world.
“Van Dijk needed him back. He hasn’t had a good start. We’ve seen slack defending, bad decisions, bad defending.
“Konate might just give him that step up and that boost back to the level we expect.”
In other news, medical insider claims Liverpool may be without Luis Diaz for longer than first feared.