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This time last year was a very different period for Virgil van Dijk, who was in the proce s of returning from a serious knee injury.As a result of that setback, the Dutch defender mi sed the majority of the 2020-21 season, in which Liverpool struggled in their defence of the Premier League title.However, with Van Dijk back and a new face through the door in Ibrahima Konate, who arrived from RB Leipzig, Jurgen Klopps side were ready to mount a challenge for all the major trophies last Marc Gasol Jersey term.They fell narrowly short of winning an unprecedented quadruple, but still managed to secure the EFL and FA Cups, while reaching the Champions League final and finishing second in the league by just one point, boasting the joint-best defensive record alongside champions Manchester City (26 goals conceded Chris Boucher Jersey ).Konate was eased in at Anfield by Klopp, but still made 29 appearances in all competitions during his debut campaign with the Reds, and Van Dijk has waxed lyrical about the ability and potential of the France international.Speaking to the clubs official website during a pre-season training camp in Austria, Van Dijk said: Konate is a very, very good player.What I like the most about him is his will to learn each and every day as well.Obviously there are loads of things that can improve and thats good because he has time, he needs the experience. In my opinion, experience is a big thing for a centre-half to learn and to take with you.In his case, Im very happy to see him develop, Im very happy to see him shine on and off the pitch, hes a fantastic character. Konate will hope to be Dewan Hernandez Jersey part of Didier Deschamps France squad which defends the World Cup in Qatar later this year, but another Reds defender perhaps has more work to do to appear at the tournament.Joe Gomez also mi sed a big chunk of Henry Ellenson Jersey the 2020-21 campaign with an injury picked up on England duty, andhas not been selected for a Three Lions squad since.The 25-year-old recently signed a new contract at Liverpool, despite only making 21 appearances last season (11 starts), several of which came at right-back as Klopppreferred Konate or Joel Matip at centre-back.But after playing regularly alongside Gomez during Liverpools Premier League title-winning season in 2019-20, Van Dijk was pleased to see him sign a new dealand believes he may even be Englands best defender when fit.We spoke about it before he signed the deal and Alex Len Jersey Im just very happy that hes staying at the club, staying with me. Also, Im happy for the club that hes signed, the former Celtic and Southampton man said.He is, in my opinion, one of if not the best English centre-back around. Obviously weve both been very unlucky with the injuries we had. His time will come again and hopefully this season he can show that. |
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發表於 2023-3-10 09:47:45
