Unsurprisingly, when questioned by the Premier League on YouTube about the most challenging player to contend with at the AXA Training Centre, Gakpo singled out one of Liverpool’s standout centre-backs.

“Ibou Konate,” responded the 24-year-old. “So strong!”

Regrettably, Konate has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury in the last two games, hindering his on-field presence. Once he recovers, we can undoubtedly witness firsthand what Cody is referring to.

Konate takes top spot in training

It’s encouraging to know that Konate remains a formidable presence at Liverpool, particularly in handling the challenges posed by the team’s diverse array of forwards during training. If the Frenchman can hold his own against Liverpool’s formidable attacking lineup in practice, he should fare well against most Premier League attacks.

What’s even more noteworthy is that Gakpo has the opportunity to observe Virgil van Dijk’s performances up close on a daily basis. Van Dijk has arguably been the standout defender in the country this season. If Konate can reach or surpass the level set by the Dutchman, it would be a remarkable achievement.

Certainly, Gakpo’s remarks offer valuable insight into Ibou Konate’s potential and the level of skill he could achieve. The recurring injury setbacks only add to the frustration surrounding his development.

It’s evident that Konate is poised to be the enduring solution for Liverpool’s right-side defense. If he can overcome the injury challenges, there’s a genuine opportunity for him to establish himself as one of the premier players in his position on the global stage.

Regrettably, the injury woes persist for Ibou Konate, leaving Jurgen Klopp to rely on Joel Matip and Joe Gomez in the interim. The absence of a player of Konate’s caliber is undoubtedly felt.

At just 24 years old, there’s still ample time for Konate to overcome the injury setbacks. The hope is for him to enjoy an injury-free stretch and contribute significantly over a full season.

Encouragingly, signs suggest that Konate may return to training this weekend. While Gakpo is on international duty and won’t experience the brunt of the big man’s defending, there’s little doubt that another unsuspecting forward or two will feel it.