Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate were ‘immense’ during Liverpool’s win over Inter Milan, says Rio Ferdinand – as Reds supporters purr over £36m signing’s defensive display during Champions League last-16 first-leg tie
Liverpool are firmly in the driving seat to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after their last-16 first-leg 2-0 win at Inter Milan on Wednesday night.
Second-half goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah secured the Reds triumph, but Rio Ferdinand believes it was at the other end of the pitch which provided the platform for victory.
The BT Sport pundit singled out centre-back pairing Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as the two standout players for Jurgen Klopp’s side at the San Siro.
Virgil van Dijk (left) and Ibrahima Konate shone at centre back during Liverpool’s win at Inter
Rio Ferdinand hailed the centre-back pairing’s display at the San Siro calling them ‘immense’
Speaking about Liverpool’s performance, Ferdinand said: ‘I think 2-0 probably flatters them. But the bedrock of most performances away from home in this stage of the Champions League is a good defence and today that was true for Liverpool.
‘The two centre-backs were immense, Fabinho too. You have to weather storms in games.
‘They had long spells where they were under the cosh but they have that experience to navigate through games and wait for the opportunities that they got.’
Van Dijk is widely considered as the best centre back in the world, but Liverpool fans were quick to recognise the display of Konate on Wednesday night.
Konate’s display at centre back impressed many Liverpool fans on social media post-match
One euphoric fan wrote: ‘Konate announced himself he was absolutely unbelievable.’
This sentiment was echoed by another who put: ‘A lot of really good performances tonight but Konate has been an absolute rock at the back along with Van Dijk.’
‘Konate will leave a similar legacy to Van Dijk,’ said another fan post-match.
On this evidence, Liverpool fans will hope to see the pair work in tandem once more when they host Norwich City in the Premier League on Saturday.
Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their appreciation of Van Dijk and Konate’s displays