The player at Liverpool who is hardest to train against is Cody Gakpo.
In the Premier League, the Reds have recently been frugal. Liverpool, who boast the joint-best defensive record in the division, has given up 10 goals in 12 games and just one in the last four.
Thus, it should come as no surprise to learn that Gakpo mentioned one of the Reds’ best centre backs in response to a Premier League YouTube question on who the hardest player to face is at the AXA Training Centre.
“Ibou Konate,” was the 24-year-old’s response. “So powerful!”
Regretfully, a hamstring injury has prevented Konate from playing over the last two games. Upon his return to fitness, we’ll definitely see what Cody is referring to.
Konate is the leader in training.
That Konate is still accepting new applicants to Liverpool is wonderful to hear. The Frenchman should be alright against the majority of Premier League attackers if he can handle the variety of forwards the Reds have throughout training.
What’s even more amazing is that Gakpo gets to witness Virgil van Dijk up close and personal every single day.
This season, Van Dijk has undoubtedly been the greatest defender in the nation. It would take a lot to surpass the Dutchman’s level by Konate.
In fact, Gakpo’s remarks provide much more context for the potential brilliance of Ibou. This just serves to exacerbate his ongoing injury difficulties.
Konate is without a doubt Liverpool’s long-term solution for the right side of defence. He has the opportunity to rank among the top players in the world at his position if he can get beyond his ailments.
Unfortunately, though, the injuries still exist and continue to occur. Joel Matip and Joe Gomez will serve as Klopp’s backup players for the time being, but a player like Konate will always be missed.
Ibou is still only 24, so it won’t be appropriate to write him off as a sick note just yet. But from now on, it would be good to see him get a whole season under his belt.
Thus far, the indications suggest that Konate might resume training this next weekend. Gakpo won’t be present to feel the impact of the big man’s defending because he is abroad on international service, but another unfortunate forward or two most certainly will!
