Another emphatic performance from Ibrahima Konate against Sunderland.
The Frenchman has massively turned a corner from his early-season slump, and has been especially imperious in recent weeks.
Konate put on a masterclass against Newcastle, but he was even better against their bitter rivals.
We don’t yet know what the future holds. Liverpool are in talks with Konate, but the prospect of another Trent situation looms over the club.
Who was Liverpool’s best player in the excellent win over Sunderland, and why?
What a win!
Sunderland v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
What this display shows is that Richard Hughes needs to do everything he can to get the 26-year-old to stay.
Ibrahima Konate showed his talent amid Liverpool contract uncertainty
It wasn’t a comfortable clean sheet by any means for Liverpool.
Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey kept Konate occupied from the first whistle, and it was a battle that continued to entertain all night.
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Brobbey is a beast, but try as he did, the Frenchman would not be bullied.
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool at Gtech Community Stadium
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
It wasn’t just brutish man-marking, either. Konate made some frankly world-class tackles on the striker inside the box, keeping it clean every time.
He can take credit for preventing at least one goal — and that goal could have made all the difference.
Richard Hughes has to step up his efforts with Konate
Look, these financial negotiations aren’t straightforward and we know FSG aren’t ones to rush in this regard.
That being said, Liverpool are already short-staffed at centre-back, and should be buying not losing.
The recent form Konate has shown is the same level he was at as Liverpool cruised to the Premier League title last season.
Change my mind: Liverpool would be CRAZY to let Konate leave 😣
He is back to his best!
Ibrahima Konate battles with Brian Brobbey during Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster
The more consistent he becomes, the more suitors he is going to have making contact.
When Richard Hughes gets to work tomorrow morning, his first order of business should be figuring out how to keep Konate at Anfield.
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