Liverpool are in the final stages of a deal to sign Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, with Paul Joyce confirming the defender will be announced in the next 48 hours.
We reported on the 25th of May that a deal to sign Konate will cost £36million before his wages were factored in.
Compared to his long-time partner Dayot Upamecano, Konate has not had the same level of hype around his career.
However, the promise is certainly there, and it’s easy to see why Jurgen Klopp has pounced.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on May 23, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Phil Noble – Pool/Getty Images)
Despite being only 21-years-old, he already has valuable experience gained – not only in the Bundesliga but also in the Champions League.
Looking closer at his style of play, it’s easy to see him fitting into Liverpool’s high line.
Opposition players usually look to bypass Liverpool’s press with long balls over the top or to a target man.
So for a Liverpool defender to function, they must be able to excel in one on one duels, both in the air and on the ground.
Unsurprisingly, Konate excels in both. His 6’4″ frame means he’s brutally efficient in the air, with an 81% aerial duel win rate. With him and Virgil van Dijk at the back, Liverpool have two men very capable of dealing with any aerial threat.
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)
He’s also comfortable going into ground duels. With a success rate of 50% this season, he’s comparable to the Reds’ own Joe Gomez, who boasts a success rate of 52% this season.
Both players are blessed with lightning pace, considering their size, making them invaluable when turned round by a long ball.
However, there are aspects of his game in need of improvement. His passing accuracy for this season sits at 82.8%. That’s worse than 79% of centre-backs over the past 12 months according to FBref. However, his dribbling ability is excellent.
A 75% success rate of dribbles this season illustrates how comfortable the young French star is carrying the ball out of defence.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – DECEMBER 08: Luke Shaw of Manchester United in action with Ibrahima Konate of RB Leipzig during the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between RB Leipzig and Manchester United at Red Bull Arena on December 08, 2020 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Then, of course, there is his injury history. Liverpool’s fitness problems at centre-back have been well documented, the last thing they need is more of them. Despite his tender age, Konate has missed 45 games of football due to injury.
The bigger worry being, most of these are muscle, rather than impact injuries. Of course, Liverpool’s recruitment staff would be well aware of this. If they’re confident of being able to arrest his injury issues, Liverpool have a fine talent on their hands.
That, of course, is assuming nothing goes awry before pen meets paper.
