---
title: "Pundit lauds ‘outstanding’ Ibrahima Konate display"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/pundit-lauds-outstanding-ibrahima-konate-display/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-10-25T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-10-25T07:00:00Z"
---

# Pundit lauds ‘outstanding’ Ibrahima Konate display

Former Premier League striker Garth Crooks was full of praise for [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/10/25/virals-liverpool-stars-take-to-twitter-to-celebrate-historic-victory/) defender [Ibrahima Konate](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/09/20/ibrahima-konate-impressive-debut/).

The Frenchman was a surprise inclusion in Jurgen Klopp’s side as the Reds obliterated arch-rivals Manchester United [5-0](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/24/manchester-united-0-5-liverpool-player-ratings-from-old-trafford) at Old Trafford.

Konate has rarely featured since arriving from RB Leipzig for £36million in the summer ([Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/12316877/ibrahima-konate-liverpool-sign-centre-back-from-rb-leipzig)) but was a rock alongside Virgil van Dijk in Manchester.

Putting together his weekly [BBC Sport Team of the Week](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59031790), Crooks lauded the 22-year-old powerhouse.

> In a game where Liverpool won 5-0 against a top-four contender, his partner Ibrahima Konate was quietly outstanding in what will be remembered as one of the great victories by a Liverpool side at Old Trafford. The French centre-back – signed in the summer from RB Leipzig – is the latest addition to this Liverpool team and fits like a glove.

Defensive partner Van Dijk was named next to Konate as the 30-year-old earned a [7.20 Sofascore rating](https://www.sofascore.com/player/virgil-van-dijk/151545) on a memorable afternoon.

Crooks also included Alisson in the side, hailing the goalkeeper as ‘the best around’ as well as Naby Keita who was as ‘cold as ice’ while [giving Liverpool the early lead](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLxmuh6wCVY).

Unsurprisingly, Mohamed Salah was the fifth and final Liverpool inclusion in the team of the week as 63-year-old pundit described the [red hot Egyptian](https://www.sofascore.com/player/mohamed-salah/159665) as ‘unplayable’ right now.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

In truth, the entire Premier League team of the week could’ve been made up by Klopp’s men.

To a player the Reds were in blistering form on an afternoon only [marred by injuries](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/naby-keita-injury-liverpool-klopp-25290418) to Keita and James Milner.

Crooks is right to single out Konate for praise, especially on just his [second Premier League outing](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ibrahima-konate/leistungsdaten/spieler/357119) in a high pressure environment.