‘What a baptism’: Phil Thompson blown away by ‘powerful’ Liverpool star’s Old Trafford display

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Liverpool romped to a stunning victory at Old Trafford yesterday and former defender turned pundit, Phil Thompson, believes Ibrahima Konate was as impressive as anyone on the day.

Konate, a summer signing from RB Leipzig, was given the nod over Joel Matip alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defence. It was a bold call from Jurgen Klopp, who had selected the young defender just once in the Premier League before yesterday.

However, it paid off, as Konate enjoyed a dominant performance against United, helping Van Dijk keep the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Mason Greenwood more than quiet. Indeed, Greenwood was withdrawn at half-time by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

And writing for the Daily Mail, former Reds ace Thompson believes Konate was another huge plus on the night for Liverpool and Klopp.

“The other plus for me was Ibrahima Konate’s performance in only his second game,” Thompson wrote.

“What a baptism. He was powerful, read the game well and looks an excellent partner for van Dijk. Jurgen Klopp and his staff made some big calls with Konate’s call-up, sticking with Keita and putting Mane on the bench but they got it all spot on.”

Konate, 22, is said to have impressed his teammates since arriving on Merseyside. After last season’s defensive nightmare, it seems like Liverpool and Klopp have firmly solved that issue.

TBR’s View: Konate already looking a bargain for Liverpool

There were a few question marks when the Reds forked out £36m for Ibrahima Konate, a defender who many in England didn’t know much about. But what a piece of business it’s looking already for Liverpool.

Konate was simply outstanding against United. He dealt brilliantly with Ronaldo at times. In fact, he was so cool you’d have thought he’d been involved in many a derby against the Red Devils.

Thompson is bang on in his assessment of Konate here. And with Matip, Gomez, and more on the books, the Reds are certainly well stocked now in the defensive area.