Liverpool might have lost Joel Matip to a season-ending ACL injury at the start of December, but the Reds have not been left short in defence
Jarell Quansah’s eye-catching breakthrough season has ensured that it is one that has paid off.
Meanwhile, after a difficult transitional year last year, Klopp’s four senior centre-backs have responded emphatically.
Following his appointment as Liverpool captain, Virgil van Dijk has rediscovered his best form
Joe Gomez has impressed right across the backline to bounce back after struggling more than most last season.
While Ibrahima Konate had endured a mixed start to the campaign, he has shone in the enforced absence of the Cameroonian.
The 24-year-old poised to be the heart of the Reds’ defence long after the Dutchman, who will turn 33 in July, calls time on his Anfieldcareer.
Konate has revealed one intriguing dressing room exchange with Klopp prior to Liverpool’s FA Cup win over the Gunners.
Konate
“The coach hasn't spoken to me in particular about that,” the Frenchman responded to the club when asked about assuming more responsibility in defence in the absence of Matip.
Konate continues
“It was more of a natural thing [he mentioned] before that Arsenal game. He did it deliberately off the cuff, but he knew what he was doing.
“He said, 'Who is going to be managing the defence?' And I said, 'me', but he knew very well that it was my role at that very moment.”
“So yeah, what's happening now, we're all aware of what a great loss Joel is to the team, and I just wish him a really speedy recovery. But on a personal level I've always put myself forward to take responsibility.
“So the more time goes by, I'm going to grow more as a player and I'm going to assume more and more responsibility and I have to continue contributing even more to the side.
"But I'm happy with what I have been doing up to now and I hope that can continue to get even better.”
Konate admitted
"It reminds me very much of my first season here,"
"There are those seasons when you're involved in every competition and have the chance to win every trophy.
"We know at what point experience and hard work can play an important role at those moments in the season.
But right now, we're only in January. We're top of the table but that means absolutely nothing at all.
"We've got to keep on working hard and if we can win the maximum amount of trophies possible, we'll be certainly trying to make that possible.
“The first half of the season has gone reasonably well. Even if we have dropped one or two points here and there, which is a bit of a shame because when you reflect back at the end of the season, that's when you'll realise about those points here and there.
“I hope that won't cost us dearly. Now with the second half of the season ahead of us, that's the vital part, and I hope that we can keep going right to the end and that we can end the season by finishing top of this league.”
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