Liverpool

Liverpool: Seb Stafford-Bloor praises Reds for their pursuit of Ibrahima Konaté

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Image for Liverpool: Seb Stafford-Bloor praises Reds for their pursuit of Ibrahima Konaté

Journalist Seb Stafford-Bloor thinks that Liverpool would be onto something incredibly special if they manage to complete a move for RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konaté.

A report last month from The Athletic revealed that Liverpool were in the process of finalising a deal for the 21-year-old Frenchman, with it being anticipated they will be made to pay his transfer release clause of €40m (£33m) rather than negotiating a lower fee.

There have been comparisons made in the past between Konaté and his potential centre-back partner at Anfield, Virgil van Dijk, and speaking on the Football Writers Podcast, Stafford-Bloor felt that Liverpool could arguably have one of the best partnerships in Europe on their hands if they are able to get the deal over the line.

He even suggested that they could get a better deal than if they’d have pursued another target in the form of Konaté’s teammate, Dayot Upamecano:

“I think if you are able to pair Konaté with a fully fit, fully back-to-form Virgil van Dijk, I would make that the best centre-back combination in Europe, I think, or we would say it would have the potential to grow into it within a year or two. I think Liverpool would actually probably be getting the better player [than Upamecano].

“I think Konaté has less profile. As a footballer, he’s really good. I don’t mean that in the trite sense, I mean, with the ball at his feet, he’s excellent. And as a one-on-one defender, I think I prefer him to Upamecano.

“I dare say, given Upamecano will be very, very successful at Bayern Munich, but for £33m – and that’s the fee that we’re kind of led to believe that Liverpool will be willing to pay for him – I think that’s a really good deal.”

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TIF Thoughts on Seb Stafford-Bloor’s comments on Liverpool signing Ibrahima Konaté…

Stafford-Bloor does seem to be very high on this potential pairing, and given the impact that missing Van Dijk has had on them this season, both at the back and in attack, if they are to bring in, what is essentially Van Dijk 2.0 with Konaté, and he goes on to make anything like the impression that Van Dijk has had since arriving at Liverpool, then there’s no telling how high Liverpool can reach with these two.

In other news: ‘I don’t think’ – Gary Neville drops international bombshell on Liverpool’s ‘incredible talent’

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Freelance sports journalist & broadcaster.