Former RB Leipzig teammate Yvon Mvogo has tipped Ibrahima Konate to succeed at Liverpool ahead of his move to Merseyside this summer.
The French giant sealed a switch to Anfield at the end of May and once his £70,000/week wages are included, the total cost of his move will be £54.2million.
“Konate is just such a fantastic defender,” said Mvogo. “He had some injuries this year so he couldn’t show his full potential.
“He’s one of the best young defenders I have seen in my career and I just wish him all the best at Liverpool. I’m sure he will succeed there and show everyone what a great player he is.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MAY 16: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Ibrahima Konate of RasenBallsport Leipzig controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on May 16, 2021 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
“I know he has all the attributes needed to do well in the Premier League. He has all the strengths a defender needs. Ibra is a fantastic human being, really lovely, someone who is really kind and always there for you.
“It doesn’t matter if you play for the club or work for the club, he’s the same with everyone. He’s just such a lovely person and I wish him the best.”
Konate’s move to Liverpool is a thrilling prospect given the issues they had at the back this season and he’s expected to go straight into the starting XI as Joe Gomez will be given all the time he needs to recover from injury.
A partnership between him and Virgil van Dijk has the potential to dominate the Premier League. Aerially, it doesn’t get much better. They both have a 76% aerial duel win rate and both stand at 6ft4.
Leipzig´s French defender Ibrahima Konate (Up C) jumps for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on November 11, 2018. (Photo by ROBERT MICHAEL / AFP)
Van Dijk is definitely the better defender on the ground and while Konate needs to improve he won’t find a better player to learn from than van Dijk.
The Dutchman went the entire 2018/19 season without being dribbled past, a run that continued into the 2019/20 season and lasted over 70 games.
