Virgil van Dijk has challenged Ibrahima Konate to build on his impressive display against Arsenal
Van Dijk says the Liverpool defender has all the tools to become the world's best centre-back.
Konate shone alongside Van Dijk in Saturday's 1-1 draw with the Gunners,
Konate has a huge opportunity ahead of him to now cement himself as Van Dijk's regular partner for the remainder of the campaign and beyond
The emergence of Jarell Quansah and impressive form of Joe Gomez has eased the burden on Jurgen Klopp at the back after Matip's ACL rupture
Van Dijk says Konate, at 24, is even better than he was at the same age.
Van Dijk:
"He’s still growing,"
"He’s an outstanding defender. He has everything that a modern-day footballer needs to be at the absolute top of centre-backs. There’s a lot of demands from us.
"We play with the ball, keep a high line, you need the pace and deal lots of space to defend in behind. He needs pace and heading as well. He’s doing it well.
"It’s about getting used to playing every three days, looking after your body, managing games and training sessions, and when to do certain things.
"He is learning. I speak a lot with him about certain things because it’s my duty to share experiences with him.
"He’s still learning and he can be even better than he is. Same goes with Jarell Quansah.
"I just look to share my experiences. I’ve been in the game for quite a while now and been quite successful. I try to give that to the young players.
"These players at this age are even better than I was. But obviously it’s about doing it in the long run.
"I’m pleased with how he is now but he can be even better, he can progress. It’s nice to see the progression and development, it’s also nice to see that they listen and are willing to listen and learn. Let’s see what it brings."
Despite Gomez's natural inclination to play centre-half, the versatile defender will likely be asked to deputise at left-back for the coming weeks after Kostas Tsimikas suffered a suspected broken collarbone
Van Dijk added:
"It happened very quickly and now unfortunately we have Kostas injured and we have to deal with the backlash.
"Hopefully it won't be too long but it's obviously not a great situation.
"He (Gomez) has been doing it already for us. He’s doing it very well.
"When you’re not really used to playing every three days, you have to manage yourself well. I have full confidence in Joey and his quality.
"We could adapt as well and go a different way in the way we play. We have to find a solution and we will. We also have young players behind as well to step up and that is what we will try to do.
"Lucho (Luis Diaz), I think he had a knock on the knee but he should be fine, let's see. Kostas looked more serious injury than everyone hoped.
"We have to find consistency and I think we are finding that at the moment we just take each game as they come. We do everything around the games that we can in order to be as good as we can and so far so good.
"It’s only one session in between [games]. If you (the press) say it is ['bonkers'] then it might be true but obviously everyone has been talking about it and the manager has been saying these things (about the fixture pile-up).
"I’ve been saying these things as well in the past and things have to change in my opinion. But listen, it gives entertainment to the people and we have to just be ready."
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