The striker praises the Liverpool defender for his brilliant performance against Milan earlier this month.
Liverpool defeated Milan with a 2-1 result in their last group stage match of the Champions League on December 7. Jurgen Klopp decided to use Ibrahima Konate in the Reds backline as they had already secured their qualification.
The former Leipzig defender delivered a fantastic performance, controlling Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the entire game. Jurgen Klopp praised the defender in a post-match interview, but he was not the only one impressed by Konate’s performance.
In a new interview, Ibrahimovic has spoken about his conversation with Konate after the game.
“I asked to exchange shirts with Liverpool defender Konate,” the 40-year-old striker said (via Liverpool Echo).
“He won all the fights with me on the ground and in the air.
“I told him that he will be a great defender in the future and that he [should] remember my words well.”
Konate moved to Liverpool with the aim of forming a regular starting duo alongside Virgil van Dijk. However, he has not been able to establish himself as a starter due to Fabinho’s impressive form.
Van Dijk’s is a doubt for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup match against Leicester City, with Konate being an option to start. Following their match on Wednesday, the Reds will face Leeds United in a league game four days later.
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