Anfield is beginning to witness the actual quality of Klopp’s top-tier recruit.
It’s getting closer and closer, and regardless of the silverware on the line for Liverpool. A sense of sadness is unavoidable as Jurgen Klopp’s reign comes to an end.
It appears inconceivable, like autumn arriving after winter, yet it is the cold hard fact that Liverpool fans everywhere are grappling with. Klopp is departing.
To be fair, many fans have probably come to accept this as inevitable.
The search for a new manager is at the forefront of online discussion: Xabi Alonso is the favourite, and his appointment would galvanise the fanbase and then some.
More worrying, however, is the current player contract issue. With important trio Trent Alexander–Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and skipper Virgil van Dijk are all out of contract at the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, which is 14 months away.
Salah was sought by Al-Ittihad last summer, the Saudi Pro League side eager to have the Egyptian goal machine as their mascot.
And while he will be 32 years old in June, a return of 21 goals and 13 assists from 25 starting appearances in all competitions this season hardly smacks of infirmity.
Salah is among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe‘s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored and touches in the attacking penalty area. The top 1% for assists, and the top 20% for progressive passes per.
According to FBref, increasing passes per 90 indicate that he is a player worth preserving at the outset of a new era.
But, hey, there are numerous variables in play, so who knows? Nonetheless.
With Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes already installed and operating within FSG’s footballing structure, things should begin to fall into place on Merseyside.
Retaining top talent at the club will be the first priority (after determining Klopp’s successor, of course), and while Salah is the club’s most visible attacking superpower. He is no longer considered one of the most lucrative players on the books.
Ibrahima Konate has risen quickly after a rocky start.
Why did Liverpool sign Ibrahima Konate?
Liverpool paid £36 million after reaching Konate‘s release clause with RB Leipzig in 2021.
Having lost Dejan Lovren to Zenit Saint-Petersburg the year before and felt the impact of that transfer after an unprecedented list of ailments ruined the defending champions’ campaign.
A sinew-framed, huge unit of a defender, the 6 foot 4 Frenchman has long been regarded as a high-class prospect. With talent scout Jacek Kulig even marvelling at the “athletic phenomenon” in 2022, early in his English journey.
Joe Gomez and Joel Matip were already tried-and-true teammates for Van Dijk. But more depth was required, and Konate was chosen due to his combination of technical ability and core defensive strength.
However, while Konate‘s natural talent was evident from the outset, the first few years of his Reds career were marred by injury.
With the France international starting 11 Premier League games in 2021/22 and 17 last season.
With Matip suffering a season-ending anterior cruciate rupture in December – the veteran is also out of contract at the end of the season – and the dynamic Gomez playing at full-back more frequently these days, Konate needed to step up, and he has.
Ibrahima Konate’s market value in 2024
Konate, at 24, now appears to be Van Dijk’s senior central defence partner and while he’s only started 14 league games so far.
He’s played with surprising consistency following occasional starting berths over the first half of the campaign.
According to Sofascore, the France international has completed 88% of his passes in the Premier League this season, averaging 4.4 ball recoveries per game and winning 65% of his fought duels.
Prompting one astute observer to describe him as a “absolute beast.”
To emphasise this, according to FBref, Konate now ranks among the top 10% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues in terms of passes attempted. Shot-creating actions, progressive passes, successful take-ons, tackles, and aerial duels won per 90 minutes over the last year.
If fitness prevails in the following months and years, Konate has little chance of establishing himself as one of Europe‘s best defenders, if he isn’t already.
And this is reflected in his market price; while there are several Redmen with a higher price tag at the moment, Konate is quickly rising to the top of the squad.
With his £69 million value increasing by an impressive 92% in less than three years under Klopp‘s management.
His newfound market price puts him ahead of Salah. Who is probably unfairly judged worth £34 million, and while last summer’s events show that this is not the case. The table above illustrates Konate’s gains.
While many teams appear to focus attacking Liverpool’s right side of defence, avoiding Van Dijk and seeking opportunities against the ostensibly inferior partner.
Konate is proving to be just as dominant in his responsibilities.
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