It’s fair to say that Liverpool hasn’t had a lot of luck this season. In fact, that is an understatement. When Virgil van Dijk’s season was ended by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s unpunished horror tackle early on in the campaign, it was a huge blow. When Joe Gomez was ruled out for the season soon afterward, there was the threat of a full-blown crisis. Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp had allowed Dejan Lovren to depart Anfield that summer without signing a replacement, and suddenly the team was left in a sticky situation at the back.
After countless centre-half partnerships lining out during the season, Liverpool fans will be breathing a sigh of relief at the news that the club are set to act quickly in signing RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konaté. The 21-year-old will arrive at Anfield as one of Europe’s most highly-rated defensive prospects, and having formed a solid partnership with Dayot Upamecano at the back for the German club, he should be set to immediately play an important role for Liverpool next season.
The need for reinforcement
It was no secret that Liverpool needed to bring in another centre-half this summer. The club had the option to make Ozan Kabak’s loan from Schalke a permanent deal, but it’s understood that they won’t be taking up that offer, with Konaté Klopp’s number one defensive target.
The decision not to replace Lovren was made to look rather foolish, especially when you consider that Gomez and third-choice centre-back Joël Matip are both prone to injury. Klopp is unlikely to make the same mistake again, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see another defender join the ranks along with Konaté.
The fact that players like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were forced to play in defense at times this season meant Liverpool lacked bite in midfield on occasions, and that is one of the reasons why their title defense was so weak. If Klopp and his team are to challenge for the Premier League title year after year and become solid favorites on the bet exchange, they will need considerable depth in every position. The signing of Konaté is crucial in providing that depth at centre-half.
Returning stars
Of course, both Van Dijk and Gomez will return for the new season, and that will be a relief for Klopp and Liverpool’s supporters, but there’s no doubt that the duo will require some time to get back up to full match sharpness, and Klopp will need Konaté to step up and make an impact from the very first game of the season.
At times in the past, Klopp has preferred to bed in his new signings slowly, but it’s hard to see that happening with Konaté. The last thing Liverpool wants to do is rush Gomez and Van Dijk back too early and see them pick up further injuries, so the signing of Konaté will be important in giving the two returning defenders some breathing space at times in what will be another busy campaign.
One for the future
The signing of Konaté also represents a good investment for the future. At 21, he is only going to get better, and while he is not the finished article yet, you’d expect him to be an important player for Liverpool for many years to come.
He is the kind of player who fits Liverpool’s model of signing players who will appreciate in value, and the Frenchman could well become a legend at Anfield. All of that lies ahead, for now Liverpool will content themselves to simply have another defender on the books.
