Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has been talking up the potential central defensive partnerships available to Jurgen Klopp this season.
Following a season packed full of crippling injury issues in the department, the Reds strengthened their options with the signing of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig for £36million (Sky Sports).
The 22-year-old Frenchman has been a prominent feature during pre-season and can expect to play a major role moving into competitive action.
Speaking to the UMM YouTube channel, the 737 Liverpool appearance man now TV pundit has been getting excited about the prospect of Konate partnering with one man in particular.
I’m really looking forward to it. I mean, Joe Gomez is still there, who’s had a great partnership with Van Dijk. But I mean, Konate looks an absolute beast. That has the potential to be the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League. It really does. Van Dijk is the best centre-back in the Premier League – you may have to give him a few months to get back up to speed. Konate, he looks like he’s got that presence. He’s certainly got the pace. It looks really spectacular.
Last season Konate made 14 Bundesliga appearances – earning a 6.68 average Sofascore rating in the process.
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Both returning stars Van Dijk and Joe Gomez are believed to be available for selection against Norwich City this weekend and could make an immediate return to their first-choice status.
However, as the season wears on with Joel Matip a high-level performer and Konate possessing all the attributes needed with a Klopp side – including excellent ball carrying skills – there is a huge, but welcomed debate at the back.
Long-term it would make sense to view Konate and Gomez, aged 22 and 24 respectively, as the future partnership.
For this campaign though Klopp will likely rest and rotate as the Reds attempt to win back both the Premier League and Champions League.
