Topic: The Indomitable Ibou

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

His best all-round performance for us so far I'd say. He's obviously been good before but tends to have a WTF moment or two.. but tonight he was just great from first to last.

[tubby]

Yup, was really solid tonight and never looked in trouble.  Think those goals, along with knowing he's first choice alongside Virg in Europe, will have really helped his confidence.

[farawayred]

Failed to beat the a scoring record by a defender, shite! Sell quickly.

[gerrardisgod]

Going to be an absolute colossus for years to come.

[rafathegaffa83]

It's been fascinating how he's been used of late. Another good performance

[RedSince86]

Ridiculously good and 22,  well done to our recruitment team.

Ten plus years of this guy at the back for us for an absolute steal.

[-Willo-]

That zipped pass into Salah on the right summed him up, he is absolutely incredible. 22 and learning from Virgil too, wow.

[Felch Aid]

Read the game really well and very physical.

Beast

[RedForeverTT]

Read the game really well and very physical.

Beast

And learning so quickly which is all you can ask for a young defender. Seems to improve with every game. The ceiling is high for him.

[newterp]

I think many people didn't appreciate the plan for him this year - which was integrate slowly and give him room to get up to speed with the PL and learn to play our way.

Huge.

[Dim Glas]

I think many people didn't appreciate the plan for him this year - which was integrate slowly and give him room to get up to speed with the PL and learn to play our way.

Huge.

Played more than I expected. Fitness of others permitting, I expected him to get cup games, maybe 2 or 3 CL group games, and a few ‘easier’ PL games. All the defensive positions for this team are not exactly a case of just sticking a player in there and all will be well (apart from Virgil!), it takes a lot of training and learning. So it shows his intelligence and ability to learn so quickly that he’s become a player the boss trusts in huge games in his first season at the grand old age of 22.

So far it’s worked out great, as the way they’ve been able to use Joel and Ibou has been near perfect. 

[lionel_messias]

I think many people didn't appreciate the plan for him this year - which was integrate slowly and give him room to get up to speed with the PL and learn to play our way.

Huge.

Does not appear to have lost a match, in 23.

So might well be a shout for future Cup Final(s).

[damomad]

That zipped pass into Salah on the right summed him up, he is absolutely incredible. 22 and learning from Virgil too, wow.

There was a moment near the touchline where he dispossessed a player when his positioning was behind, very Van Dijk like the way he swooped in and got his body in front of them player. Another huge physical specimen of a defender. 

[mallin9]

His aerial dominance (in addition to the all around dominant Van Dijk) set the tone early. They couldn’t punt goal kicks long because Konate gobbled them all up, they tried playing out from the back and the pressure kept getting ratcheted up. Tremendous young player, loved him since his self made signing video.

[tubby]

Decent first half, stroll in the park for the second.  Immense.

[Schmidt]

Still hasn't lost, that's the most important thing about tonight really.

[newterp]

Poor passing today - but was a rock on defensive duties!

[RyanBabel19]

Some superb decision making again, no fucking about just dealing with the danger as and when needed

Class

[Hazell]

Some superb decision making again, no fucking about just dealing with the danger as and when needed

Class

Agree. Needs to work on nicking Firmino's moves though.

[RedSince86]

First season at new club and going to the biggest club competition final in his home city while never being on the losing side.

[RyanBabel19]

Agree. Needs to work on nicking Firmino's moves though.

Bet you wouldn't let him try that kick out on you though

[BeingJohnMarkovic]

Looks like a grown man playing a game of football against little kids at times. He's just that big.

[I've been a good boy]

Agree. Needs to work on nicking Firmino's moves though.

[CanuckYNWA]

Personally think hes one of the few who can be proud of their entire 90min performance. Thought him and Mane were really the only two who looked up for it and bothered in that first half

Hes immense for a 22 year old

[Gili Gulu]

Think he might play in the CL Final if we're playing Real.

[RedG13]

Think he might play in the CL Final if we're playing Real.

I doubt it but Klopp if needed would take Matip with 5 subs if needed.
Matip passing is super important obv have had to rotate to keep him fit

[CanuckYNWA]

I doubt it but Klopp if needed would take Matip with 5 subs if needed.
Matip passing is super important obv have had to rotate to keep him fit

Matip passing and ability to step up and drive forward is definitely a huge quality and is better than Konate. Konate is a better header of the ball and stronger/faster

They both have their qualities definitely interesting who hed go for in the final but I agree its probably Matip

[Red Cactii]

A UCL final in his hometown in his first season with us, what a star.

[jckliew]

Matip passing and ability to step up and drive forward is definitely a huge quality and is better than Konate. Konate is a better header of the ball and stronger/faster

They both have their qualities definitely interesting who hed go for in the final but I agree its probably Matip

But who is better at keeping Benzema at bay? I think Ibou is faster.

[sminp]

Personally I think Konate starts in the final, he seems to be the cup centre back and Matip the league centre back based on the starting lineups we’ve had since January. Perhaps it’s just out of necessity to manage Matip’s game time which would be less of a problem with a week break before the final but it feels to me very much like the Kelleher Caribao Cup situation albeit in a more important competition.

[El Lobo]

Agree. Needs to work on nicking Firmino's moves though.

Fucking hell thats absolutely ripe for some Capon photoshopping

[RedForeverTT]

Personally I think Konate starts in the final, he seems to be the cup centre back and Matip the league centre back based on the starting lineups we’ve had since January. Perhaps it’s just out of necessity to manage Matip’s game time which would be less of a problem with a week break before the final but it feels to me very much like the Kelleher Caribao Cup situation albeit in a more important competition.

I thought he is as good if not better than Matip now. Ok that first half was a once-off where everyone just fell asleep. But he has hardly put a foot wrong since joining. Strength in the air, pace, and set pieces ability put him up there with the best of defenders.

[Clint Eastwood]

Personally think it depends on who we get. I'd rather have Matip up against Benzema, but Konate up against Foden/Sterling/Jesus.

Spoilt for choice. I'd still feel confident with either, as well as Joe.

[stewy17]

A UCL final in his hometown in his first season with us, what a star.

This (alongside him being fucking great) is why Klopp will play him.

[Kalito]

Personally think it depends on who we get. I'd rather have Matip up against Benzema, but Konate up against Foden/Sterling/Jesus.

Spoilt for choice. I'd still feel confident with either, as well as Joe.

Konate - either way.

Vini Jr on Trent's side will need taking care of - that guy is rapid.

[Caps4444]

City team looks very strong tonight…..hope I’m wrong, but think it will be comfortably for them.

Hope it’s a violent game….lots of sending offs,

[SamLad]

But who is better at keeping Benzema at bay? I think Ibou is faster.

yeah but Benz is no greyhound. 

very tough call - Konate is better in the air and is more of a threat from set pieces.  but I'd pick Matip, just based on experience.

[SamLad]

Personally think it depends on who we get. I'd rather have Matip up against Benzema, but Konate up against Foden/Sterling/Jesus.

Spoilt for choice. I'd still feel confident with either, as well as Joe.

defo. 

[SamLad]

Konate - either way.

Vini Jr on Trent's side will need taking care of - that guy is rapid.

you're right.  I've switched my vote to Konate.

[newterp]

I love that everyone else wanted Upemacano and not Konate.

Upemacano is good - but has been a bit ropey for Bayern all season.

Konate has learned, waited patiently, and been trusted more and more to the point it's a toss-up if he or Matip start the CL final!