Jurgen Klopp lavished praise on Liverpool’s centre-back Ibrahima Konate who made his full Premier League debut on Saturday in the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.
The France defender had made the move to Anfield in this summer’s transfer window from RB Leipzig in what was a major addition to the backline options available at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal.
Konate, however, had to wait in the wings for his competitive debut start in the Liverpool shirt with the Virgil van Dijk-Joel Matip pairing taking the field for the first four games of the new league campaign for the Merseyside giants.
Saturday’s outing at Anfield against Palace meant a chance for Konate to be included on the starting teamsheet with Matip being given some well-earned rest after the midweek win in the Champions League.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was rather pleased with Konate’s display at the back with the German coach heaping praise during his post-match remarks on his new recruit for stepping up to the mark when called upon against a formidable-looking Palace attack.
“I think we all saw what kind of potential the boy has – it’s incredible. Physicality, technique, game understanding, it’s all there, but when as a young boy you are already skilled like Ibou is then you rely sometimes on these skills and the Premier League teaches you harsh lessons. Today was a good example with Crystal Palace playing with first Benteke and then Edouard, Zaha all the time cutting inside, Ayew around… these are proper strikers and he did really well.
“Of course, when you play your first game then maybe it is not so nice when you play in a completely new last line, but together with Virg and Millie on this side it worked really well – and Kostas played a top game as well. There is a lot more to come from him, he is still young and yes, of course, they all have had to adapt to the way we play and to the league as well, of course.
“It is a special league here. He is in a really good way and I am really happy about the process.”
