Ibrahima Konate said that center-back partner Virgil van Dijk often leaves him in disbelief at how good he is. The pair have forged a brilliant partnership at the heart of Liverpool's defense, with the Reds boasting the best defense in the Premier League so far this season.

Liverpool has conceded just 12 goals while Van Dijk and Konate have been on the pitch together in league games, and should the Reds go on to win the title this season, the pair will have played a key role in the success.

While Konate has only really established himself as a first-team regular this season, Van Dijk has been a mainstay since joining Liverpool from Southampton seven years ago, and the Frenchman couldn't speak highly enough about the 33-year-old.

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“What a defender!” Konate told club media of Van Dijk. “I think if we talk about him and what he has done, it’s unbelievable. I have a very good relationship with Virgil on the pitch and outside of the pitch. And when I came here as a 21-year-old he gave me a lot of advice and helped me with my adaptation here.

“When I was in Leipzig I watched some games of Liverpool and I didn’t realise how good he was. Then when I came here, sometimes I’d think, ‘No! How is this possible?’ And now I think because he’s too good, some strikers see Virgil and are just thinking: ‘I have no chance against him.’

“On the pitch I need him and I think it’s the same way for him, hopefully! I know how good he can be for me and we just work together and try to be the best partnership in the world. For me personally, before I had my injury [in late November] I think we were on the top level and I think a lot of people felt that as well, but we know that we just have to keep going in this way.”