The reported Ibrahima Konate Liverpool move would make perfect sense for both the player and Liverpool. Liverpool, as we all know, are in desperate need of reliable central defenders. They’ll want to avoid running into a scenario that involves a centre back pairing of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson ever again. And Konate would solve that.
As for the player, who has a release clause of £40 million, he’ll relish at the chance to jump into a Liverpool side with a vengeance next season. Whether the deal, reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic, is completed or not is yet to be seen, but you can see why the move would be ideal.
Konate Liverpool Move Makes Perfect Sense
Consistent Trend in the Bundesliga
Last season it was Timo Werner and Kai Havertz. The season before, it was Christian Pulisic. Naby Keita, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino have also made that move from the Bundesliga to the Premier League.
The fact remains that, if it’s not Bayern Munich, the attraction isn’t there for players in Germany’s first division. They want to win trophies and, the reality is, in German football, that only comes by joining the dominant Bavarians.
Robert Lewandowski has made the switch, so too has Mats Hummels and Mario Gotze in the past. The latest to switch to title rivals, of course, is Dayot Upamecano, who is Konate’s centre-back partner- meaning a move for the latter would leave Leipzig without their greatest strength.
Konate Liverpool Move Would Leave Leipzig Significantly Weakened
Last season, Leipzig’s greatest strength was goals as Timo Werner arrived time and time again to tap home. This year, without the now-Chelsea man, Julien Nagelsmann has been forced to adapt his side.
They’ve gone from one of the greatest attacking forces in the division to the best defensive unit- conceding just 21 goals, the least in the league. And that’s why they’re closer than ever to challenging Bayern Munich. Yes, they may still miss out, but they have looked a team likely to build that challenge as each year passes.
Well, they did, of course, before the trend of the Bundesliga hit them, for the second season running, to destroy the title push they were mounting. They adapted their game once with success, but losing Upamecano and potentially Konate could leave Leipzig unable to compete.
The Ideal Central Defender for Liverpool
One would naturally assume that, when fit, Liverpool’s best defensive pairing is Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. But, throw Konate into that Liverpool mix, and, all of a sudden, you’ve got yourself a worthy challenger to Joe Gomez.
Konate, just 21-years-old, is quick, experienced at the highest level and defensively astute. Positionally, as ironically exposed by Liverpool in the Champions League, he can look unnatural at time. This comes with experience, however. Just look at Ozan Kabak, for example.
The on-loan Schalke man was all over the place against Leicester City and Everton, but just a couple of games later and, he was reading the game on a higher level in Liverpool’s high-line.
If Konate can adapt to that high-line, he’ll be the perfect challenger to Gomez’s position in the Liverpool side. He has the pace and strength to do so, as proven in the Bundesliga.
What the Move Would Mean for Others
The reported move will worry Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak. Both are currently establishing themselves in the Liverpool squad. Kabak, in particular, will be disappointed with the news. He looked ready-made to become a permanent part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans, turning his loan move into a more long-term deal.
And, whilst he still could, the prospect of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Konate and Joel Matip all being ahead of him will be a cause of concern as to his game time. As a young defender, minutes on the pitch, getting that raw experience, matters the most. Should Konate make the reported move, Kabak’s chances would be significantly limited.
As for Nat Phillips, perhaps a move beckons for the Englishman. He has shown his qualities as a natural, old-fashioned defender during his time in Klopp’s side, qualities that many sides in the Premier League would happily welcome.
For the right price, Liverpool would be happy to sell, too. Let’s face it, with the potential competition in front of him next season, Phillips’ chances in a Liverpool shirt will be cut short.
If the Konate Liverpool rumours are true, the Reds will have some squad assembled next season and, more importantly, a squad ready for any repeat of this season’s injury crisis.
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