View: Arne Slot will be ecstatic as Liverpool star set for international landmark
Arne Slot will be over the moon for centre-back Ibrahima Konate with the Liverpool man in contention for the captaincy with the French national team.
The 25-year-old has taken his game to a new level at Anfield this year and forged a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk in central defence.
Liverpool have conceded only six goals in 10 Premier League outings, the best in the division and Konate is in line to receive a glowing commendation for his efforts.
France manager Didier Deschamps excluded captain Kylian Mbappe from his side for the upcoming international break following his abysmal form with Real Madrid and Konate, as per RMC Sport [7 November] is among those in consideration to take the captain’s armband.
Ibrahima Konate can be a leader for Liverpool and France
While the Frenchman has previously worn the armband before, this time feels different as Mbappe is facing an uncertain future with the national side.
The move to Real Madrid has not panned out as hoped and as Carlo Ancelotti struggles to integrate his flux of world-class stars into the same side, Mbappe’s form has since suffered.
In all likelihood, Mbappe will resume his role with France after the New Year but with Konate flourishing at Anfield, this could be the perfect opportunity for the defender to reclaim the armband and keep it out of the hands of his compatriot.
Konate is performing at a world-class level in the Premier League and Champions League this year and showing no signs of slowing down on Merseyside.
The upcoming fixtures, including ties against Real Madrid and Manchester City, will be a true test of his ability and one is well-positioned to overcome with ease as his snub from the starting lineup to face Ipswich Town on the Premier League opening day feels like a distant memory.
Liverpool already boasts national team captains Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Andy Robertson, and Virgil van Dijk in the squad, adding one more to the mix is a true testament to the mentality of the squad at Anfield.
He will face competition from Jules Kounde and Ngolo Kante but should persevere given his prior experience paired with his excellent form and, should he rise to the occasion, will lay a serious claim to retain the armband once Mbappe returns from his enforced hiatus.
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