Virgil van Dijk hails 'character and strength' of Liverpool teammate

The Liverpool captain praised his defensive colleague ahead of the Manchester City game, one which will require intensity and concentration, according to Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk has praised Ibrahima Konate(Image: Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk has hailed the ‘character and strength’ of teammate Ibrahima Konate after the Frenchman put in an outstanding performance last week in his first Liverpool appearance since the death of his father.

Konate missed three matches while on compassionate leave in France last month, during which Liverpool sustained two defensive injuries. That resulted in Arne Slot having to name two midfielders in the back four against Qarabag, but Konate's early return meant such drastic action was not required against Newcastle United.

The center-back called Slot ahead of the clash with the Magpies and said he would come back ahead of schedule to assist with Liverpool’s defensive issues.

And Konate put in an excellent display at the heart of defense, capped by an emotional goal in injury-time in front of the Kop.

Konate was reduced to tears after he tapped in from Nick Pope’s error. He was poignantly surrounded by his Liverpool teammates, and serenaded by the supporters inside Anfield.

The 26-year-old is expected to again start for Liverpool when Manchester City travels to Merseyside on Sunday, and writing his pre-match program notes, Van Dijk sought to praise his defensive colleague.

Van Dijk celebrated with Konate after the goal last week(Image: Getty Images)

“I want to give a special mention to Ibou Konate,” said the Liverpool skipper. “To put in the performance he did against Newcastle, when he is going through what he is going through, says so much about him, his character and his strength.

“Ibou wanted to come back and help the team and you could see from the reaction of all the players how much we love and appreciate him.

“He is our brother and we will all be there for him, just as he is there for us."

Van Dijk is expecting another tough challenge against Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)

On the game, Van Dijk added: “In terms of Sunday, it is important that we take the positives from our last two games and build on those.

“As always, hard work will be the basis. We know the quality that City possess and we know that they will be extremely motivated coming into this game, given what they are fighting for.

“We have to be intense, both with and without the ball, we have to be committed and concentrated from the first whistle, and if we are all of those things then hopefully our quality will shine through in terms of creating chances and scoring goals.

“Like I say, there is so much still to play for between now and the end of the season and that fills me with excitement. Big games are what you live for as a footballer and I am certainly looking forward to a big one on Sunday afternoon.”