Liverpool legend, John Barnes has come out to say that Ibrahima Konate will be Virgil van Dijk’s CB partner. He recently revealed that the money invested in the young defender automatically earns him that right.
According to him, it will surely be interesting to see who starts in central defence for Liverpool next season because he doesn’t think Joe Gomez’s injury will help his chances in the short-term.
Barnes added that it is always good to have competition for places in every team so Klopp‘s boys should be fine.
His words, “It will be interesting to see who starts in central defence for Liverpool alongside Virgil van Dijk next season. In the long term Joe Gomez will be fine, but he’s young and he’s had his injury problems.”
“Having splashed out so much money on a centre-back in Ibrahima Konate, they’ll probably start with him alongside Van Dijk – presuming Van Dijk is fit for the start of the season – but it’s always good to have competition for places.”
On Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams, “Phillips and Williams have big decisions ahead of them.”
“Is it time for them to go off and make a name for themselves in the first team at other clubs? Because if they stay at Liverpool, they’re not going to be playing in the first team, though they will be important parts of the squad.”
“It’s up to them as individuals to decide what’s best for their careers. Do they stay and try to stake a claim, be a part of the squad and play now and again?”
“At 24 years old, Phillips probably wouldn’t want to do that, but modern players are quite happy to be at a big club and be part of a squad, whereas probably in the old days you’d want to move on because you’re not playing regularly.”
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