Ibrahima Konaté has an opportunity to prove he can replace Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool. The Frenchman has a big task ahead of him.

Virgil van Dijk is arguably Liverpool’s most important player and has been for five years. Certainly, there’s a stark contrast between the side before and after his arrival in 2018.

The Dutchman quickly established himself as the world’s best centre-back and Liverpool improved dramatically as a result. But that comes with a massive, ominous question – how do you replace him? After all, if you are so dependent on one player, you’re set to take a big step backwards when he’s no longer what he was.

Van Dijk is still fantastic but won’t be forever and finding his potential replacement has always been a frightening prospect. We do think Liverpool might have done it, however, in Ibrahima Konaté.

Now’s the time to find out.

Ibrahima Konaté can replace Virgil van Dijk

Konaté is special. Joel Matip recently raved about his Liverpool teammate to the club’s official site, saying it’s ‘amazing’ how good he is at just 23.

He’s already playing at an elite level, as seen during last season’s Champions League run and the recent World Cup. Konaté can become a star – and has the physical traits to follow Van Dijk’s path.

He’s big, he’s quick, he’s strong, and Konaté can pass the ball. His intelligence in defence isn’t really up for question either and while he can make mistakes, he is still only 23.

Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

The only ‘question’ around Konaté is whether he can properly lead a defence. That’s what Van Dijk has done for five years now but with the Dutchman there, his potential successor hasn’t been able to answer that question.

Van Dijk is now injured, however. He will need to see a specialist on a hamstring issue and may miss quite some time. It will be Konaté who steps up into his role as the dominant, physical leader of Liverpool’s defence.

If he can fill the void, Liverpool will know that Konaté really is the impossible successor to Van Dijk. There are some big weeks ahead, then.

Source: rousingthekop.com