‘It’s crazy!’ – Van Dijk taken aback by ‘fantastic’ Liverpool star who has ‘loads to learn’

Lewis Oldham
Liverpool star Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk has suggested that Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is a “fantastic player” but he still has “loads to learn”.

After much speculation, Konate signed for Liverpool last summer for a fee of around £36m from RB Leipzig.

The centre-back has been a bit-part player this term, playing 23 times across all competitions.


Liverpool are still great even if they win only Carabao Cup this season


The 22-year-old was back in Liverpool’s starting eleven on Wednesday night. This was for their Champions League semi-final first leg against Villarreal. He started alongside Van Dijk.

Both players had a quiet evening as Liverpool were in full control at Anfield. Villarreal were unable to register a shot on target during the 90 minutes.

The Reds won 2-0 thanks to an own-goal from Pervis Estupinan and a finish from Sadio Mane.

Konate’s opportunities have been limited this season given the form of Van Dijk and Joel Matip.

Van Dijk thinks “it is crazy” that Konate is as good as he is “at such an age”:

“(Konate) is a fantastic player. To be that good already at such an age, it’s crazy, in my opinion,” Van Dijk told LFC TV.

“Obviously he still has loads to learn and, in my opinion, as a centre-back I think it comes with experience, dealing with situations, dealing with mistakes, dealing with moments that you fail (in) maybe to make sure it doesn’t happen anymore.

“But he is already at such a high level and such consistency as well. So, it’s great to have each other and push each other each and every day. Joel (Matip) has obviously had an incredible season as well, so let’s keep that going.”

On Liverpool’s attackers, Van Dijk added: “They are so important for us at the moment. I don’t want to be facing any of our strikers, to be fair. Diogo from the bench, Luis, Mo, Sadio, it’s incredible, Divock the last game.

“We are in a good moment, everyone is pushing each other and we’ll try to keep that going, and the amount of work they put in is incredible as well.”