Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk might have gotten a quick replacement as 46-year-old coach Arne Slot reveals his substitute name

There have been a lot of good performances since Arne Slot took over as manager at Anfield. Virgil van Dijk, who plays captain for Liverpool, has been one of them.

The Liverpool player Michael Owen thinks that Ibrahima Konate could play as well as Virgil van Dijk if he stays there for many years. Konate has been with the Reds since 2021 and has slowly improved as a player over that time, having recently made a big impact.

The Frenchman’s growth has been helped by learning from the best in the business, but he is still not as good as Van Dijk. Konate scored in Liverpool’s amazing 3-1 Champions League win away to AC Milan, and then he helped Arne Slot’s team get three points with another headed effort that went in against Wolves.

But it was the 25-year-old’s fault that Wolves tied the game because Jorgen Strand Larsen pushed him off the ball too easily. Konate needs to get rid of mistakes like these if he wants to become a world-class player, and Owen is supporting the France defender in his efforts to do just that.

It’s already well known that Konate is a great center back. A wonderful center back. The ex-Liverpool striker told Premier League Productions, “He has everything, and I think he could be world-class in the future.”

Owen went on, “Virgil van Dijk is really at the top of his game right now, but Konate still has some things to learn.” He’s also still a little younger. I’m excited to see him get better. Who knows, maybe one day he’ll reach Virgil’s level of skill.

Owen said of the center-back’s goal against Wolves, “He’s very dangerous in this situation.” With his size, speed, jump, and power, the shot is a real threat.

“That’s great play from [Diogo] Jota. How fast he turned to get past his man, and what a ball!” You have to be able to attack the ball and head it down in addition to having all those other skills. That goal was great, and it came at the perfect time for Liverpool.