Man of the Match Konaté Powers Liverpool’s Resilience at Arsenal

After years of seeing Arsenal as a team that could be physically overcome and perhaps even bullied on the pitch (by many of the English top tier), the new Mikel Arteta variant of north London is now more robust and effective on and off the ball, therefore, it was always going to take a physical resistance to overcome them and come away with any points at all.

As the hosts of this undeniable Super Sunday fixture, the mind games over potential injuries (Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber) and subsequent selections were clearly a coordinated measure to tip the balance towards the home side, which did indeed allow for an early lead by the capital club.

Luckily for the visiting team and their squadron of travelling assets, the defensive partnership of Arne Slot (Virgil and Ibou) was on hand to match and repel the advancing attacks of the hosts, especially the man of this enthralling match, Ibrahim Konaté.

Last season, there was a peculiar notion where if Liverpool were to replace the giant Frenchman, Ibrahima Konaté (in the most recent summer), he could be easily replaced by any number of alternatives from Europe or even South America. That thought process remains a ridiculous take on football and should not be mentioned for a good few years to come.

As a quick and imposing specimen that stands an intimidating 6ft 4inches, I have never considered anyone other than the former RB Leipzig enforcer to partner the reds illustrious Dutch leader, Virgil van Dijk, especially after the departure of the legendary Liverpool player, Joel Matip.

The reservations over the long-term impact of the 25-year-old, Ibrahima Konaté, was purely due to his questionable injury issues, not his ability on the pitch. Under new leadership and with more control ahead of the long-term defensive line of the team, the unmistakable presence of the no.5 has been utterly dominant and that form did not fall away today against last season’s Premier League runners up, as he achieved the plaudits with a superb performance against the gunners attacking threat.

The lessening injury issues appear to be due to less intense training sessions and more endeavour on tactical instruction, which is something that once aided the likes of Lesley King, and the wonderful Paul McGrath.

Whenever the ball needed to be headed away on this intense Sunday afternoon, it was undertaken with authority by the 19-cap France international. Whenever his body needed to be put in between the adversary and the goal of his Irish stopper, Caoimhin Kelleher, the monstrous athlete of the former Sochaux academy graduate was alert, and whenever space needed covering to aid a teammate in need (often Trent), there was no hesitation in his reactions.

As a prototype to the modern requirements of an elite level central defensive piece, this £35m signing may well be the perfect example of what is needed to excel in the regenerating football world, which he did with aplomb at the Emirates today.

Long may he stay fit and produce more performances like today.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:

Arsenal 1 – 1 Liverpool