Virgil van Dijk gave Liverpool the perfect way to beat Everton, but Ibrahima Konate is the big news today.
The Liverpool captain powered home the winner in a tense Merseyside derby, capping another huge moment in a rivalry that rarely lacks drama.
After the game, Konate decided to face the press, and it took Van Dijk by surprise. It was a small moment, but an important one too, because Konate addressed his Liverpool future, one of the biggest talking points when it comes to FSG’s summer plans.
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Virgil van Dijk’s remarks to Ibrahima Konate after Liverpool win
Konate made a rare appearance in the mixed zone, the same area where Mohamed Salah’s outburst after Leeds created so much chatter earlier this season.
He all but confirmed he will be staying at Liverpool past the end of this season.
Seeing his defensive partner standing there to speak to the press, Van Dijk could not hide his surprise, saying: “Mixed zone?! Since when do you do the mixed zone?!”
The Liverpool defender revealed today that he is close to signing a new contract at Anfield after months of speculation over his future and links with Real Madrid.
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Instead of letting the uncertainty rumble on, Konate addressed it directly in front of reporters, and the fact he chose to do so there clearly caught Van Dijk off guard.
Liverpool fans will not be too bothered about where the message came from, though, so long as it points towards one of the club’s most important defenders staying put. Van Dijk and Konate still look like a centre-back pairing capable of winning the biggest honours together, even if that has not happened this season.
There have been moments when Konate has fallen below his own standards, but it would be harsh to single him out too much when Liverpool’s levels have dipped across the board. At his best, he gives Liverpool pace, aggression and physicality alongside Van Dijk.
If he does put pen to paper on a new deal, there is every chance the pair can return to the levels they showed last season and re-establish themselves as one of the strongest partnerships in the Premier League.
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