Liverpool’s rise back to the top of the Premier League has been anything but straightforward, but the victory against Wolves offers another glimpse of their long-term defensive future. A pivotal discussion surrounds the potential of Ibrahima Konaté, a player Michael Owen recently praised as a viable successor to Virgil van Dijk.
While Wolves languish at the bottom of the Premier League, Gary O’Neil’s team pushed Liverpool hard. The match was far from an easy outing for Arne Slot’s men, but a key moment came when Konaté rose to head in a goal just before half-time, showcasing his physicality and aerial prowess.
Michael Owen’s Confidence in Konaté
Michael Owen, a Liverpool legend himself, sees immense potential in Konaté and believes the 25-year-old Frenchman could be the natural heir to van Dijk. Signed from RB Leipzig in 2021, Konaté has delivered strong performances when fit, although his injury record has been a point of concern.
Speaking on Premier League Productions, Owen remarked, “Konaté is already established, well established as a top centre-half. A brilliant centre-half. He has got everything, and I think he could be the future.” Owen’s words speak volumes about the confidence he has in the young centre-back’s ability to step up.
Konaté’s mix of size, strength, and speed makes him a constant threat in set-piece situations, as highlighted by his goal against Wolves. Owen added, “He is very dangerous, isn’t he, in this situation? The size, the athleticism. The leap. The power in the header. It’s brilliant from Jota… But you’ve got to be there, for all those attributes, to attack the ball and head it down as well.”
This praise points to Konaté’s potential not only as a defensive stalwart but also as a player capable of scoring key goals. However, as Owen noted, the Frenchman still has some learning to do if he’s to reach van Dijk’s level, but the foundations are clearly in place.
Van Dijk’s Future: A Key Concern
The elephant in the room remains Virgil van Dijk’s contract situation. Alongside Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk’s contract is set to expire next summer. Liverpool’s success has been built around players like van Dijk, and replacing him would be no easy task. While it’s unclear whether the Dutchman will extend his stay at Anfield, speculation about his next destination has already begun.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are always in the conversation when top players become available, but such moves are far from guaranteed. For now, the idea of van Dijk moving to a different Premier League team seems unlikely, given his status at Liverpool. As Michael Owen pointed out, the Dutchman is “at the peak of his powers,” and Slot will want to hold onto him for as long as possible.
However, should van Dijk decide to seek a new challenge, having a player like Konaté waiting in the wings could soften the blow. As Owen suggested, “Look forward to seeing him [Konaté] improve and maybe even get to Virgil’s standard one day. You never know.”
Konaté’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Ibou Konaté’s journey at Liverpool has been marked by flashes of brilliance tempered by periods of absence due to injury. His height and physical presence make him a commanding figure in defence, but it’s his agility and pace that stand out for a player of his size. Konaté can recover quickly, making him a perfect fit for Slot’s defensive line.
However, as seen in the match against Wolves, he is not immune to making errors. A mistake in the second half allowed Wolves to pull one back, highlighting that while his ceiling is high, Konaté still has aspects of his game to refine.
That said, Konaté’s goal-scoring ability from set-pieces is an added bonus for Liverpool, furthering his credentials as van Dijk’s potential successor. His ability to be both a defensive and offensive weapon will make him indispensable in the coming seasons.
Looking Ahead: Konaté’s Role in Slot’s Liverpool
With van Dijk’s future uncertain, it’s clear that Liverpool have a potential long-term solution in Konaté. As Michael Owen has suggested, Konaté has “everything” needed to be a top-class centre-half, and his recent performances only underline that belief. His partnership with van Dijk could continue to flourish if the Dutchman decides to stay, allowing for a smoother transition of defensive leadership.
Even if van Dijk leaves, Konaté appears ready to shoulder the responsibility. For Liverpool, the future of their defence could well be in safe hands with the young Frenchman.
