The ECHO's Paul Gorst takes a closer look at the Liverpool centre-back partnership of Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, who are now close to 300 minutes without conceding a goal
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool and Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool celebrate after winning the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate celebrate after winning the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at the City Ground on February 22, 2026(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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In a season where late drama has become routine, Liverpool took a slice of history with the most recent addition to their catalogue.
Alexis Mac Allister's 97th-minute winner, which was only the second latest of its kind for Arne Slot's men this term, means the Reds have now been involved in seven games that have seen the decisive goal scored after 90 minutes. That, unsurprisingly, is the most by a single team in the Premier League's history.
It was also the club's fourth latest winner since records began being collated, 20 years ago, with the No.1 on that list coming back in August, when Rio Ngumoha slammed home in the 100th minute to seal a 3-2 victory over Newcastle United at St James' Park. Leave early at your peril, clearly.
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But the latest intervention from Mac Allister was only made possible by what was some expert rearguard action down the other end, particularly in the first half when Liverpool were made to defend properly by a Nottingham Forest side rejuvenated after an excellent 3-0 win over Fenerbahce earlier in the week in Vitor Pereira's first match in charge.
In hindsight, perhaps it was obvious that the Reds would always have to weather the storm against a side under a new manager, who are facing up to the very real prospect of relegation. Factor in the almost unique brand of disdain that Liverpool's presence seemingly evokes from City Ground terraces, and it puts a troubling first period into more perspective.
But that is not to excuse what was a desperately poor opening where it was difficult to tell which team had enjoyed eight days off and which team had made a trip to Turkey for a game on Thursday night.
"It was definitely not a very good performance in the first half but obviously there is another 45 minutes and opportunity to show our quality in the second half, where there is plenty of time to do that," Virgil van Dijk told the ECHO after the game. "We did that.
"It's not a guarantee that just because you don't play for eight days that you are going to play well. We have been there many times, when we have had a game midweek and the opponent has had all week to prepare, and we were better than the opponent.
"So they were better than us in the first half, I think that was just clear to see and we were better than them in the second half. Eventually we have scored a goal in the last couple of minutes and that was the difference."
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Key to the Reds being in a position where they were able to snaffle what even Slot admitted was an undeserved victory so late was the performance of the centre-back pairing of Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
Only Dominik Szoboszlai had more touches than both players' respective tallies of 82 (Van Dijk) and 83 (Konate) and the pair were equal in the aerial duels, with no player winning more than their total of three apiece.
Both Van Dijk and Slot remarked after the game how well the team defended their own penalty area and much of that success is due to the centre-back partnership, who are now on a run of 293 minutes without conceding, which is inclusive of added-time.
Konate, in particular, looks a player with a spring in his step. After returning from compassionate leave, which saw him miss three games following the death of his father, the France international has been in excellent form, starring against Newcastle United, Sunderland and Forest, in particular.
The likely goal-saving challenge he made on Brian Brobbey in the 1-0 victory at Sunderland earlier this month sticks out and recent weeks have reminded about the quality the les Bleus man possesses at centre-half.
Van Dijk spoke after that Sunderland win about his hope that Konate stays beyond the end of his current contract at the end of the campaign, stating: "Obviously I want him to stay. He’s an important figure on the pitch. That’s what everyone sees but off the pitch as well, he’s one of the leaders.
"He’s outstanding and in my eyes, a world-class centre back. I can do only so much but it’s in the club's hands, together with his agents and himself, so let’s see what comes out of it but I have no influence otherwise on that."
Slot himself confirmed later that week that Liverpool remain locked in negotiations to tie the 26-year-old down to fresh terms, adding: "We are in talks with him so that tells you what we want. It’s clear we would like him to stay but negotiations are ongoing so let’s see where that ends. We wouldn’t be in negotiations if we didn’t want him to stay."
The man himself has opted, perhaps wisely, against speaking publicly when asked after games, knowing full well the topic of his Reds future will come under the microscope. Requests to stop and speak after games against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup and at Forest on Sunday have been met with a jovial decline. For now, the speculation rumbles on.
Liverpool have often believed that getting the final year out a player whose contract is running out to be more valuable to them than selling earlier for a knock-down fee but it would be galling to lose Konate as a free agent 12 months after Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid for a fraction of his true value.
The impending £60m addition of Jeremy Jacquet to go in alongside a returning Giovanni Leoni this summer, himself a near £30m capture from Parma, is evidence of a club getting its duck in a row where the long-term health of their centre-back department is concerned.
However, replacing Konate would cost tens of millions and the pool of comparable players is likely shallow. Micky van de Ven has previously been assessed but Tottenham Hotspur would surely be reluctant to sell if they are still a Premier League outfit for next season.
But what the in-form partnership of Konate and Van Dijk have shown in that Liverpool remain a tough nut to crack, even if it has hardly been a vintage campaign in the final third. The Reds have lost just two of the last 20 games, dating back to the end of November when an abysmal run of nine losses in 12 started to be rectified at West Ham United.
While subject of Konate's future remains unclear, there is more surety and certainty regarding Van Dijk, who will enter the final year of his deal this summer just as he turns 35.
Even at his age, few defenders in world football are as gifted, but the club captain will need a partner for next season. Adding more chapters to his history with Konate will give the Reds some continuity as a summer of further transition likely awaits.
Much like Liverpool's games themselves this season, however, it looks like the decisive act on Konate's next move will come late.
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