---
title: "Liverpool: Neil Jones drops early team news"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-team-news-villarreal-klopp-latest-ucl-gossip-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2022-04-27T15:15:41Z"
modified: "2022-04-27T15:15:41Z"
---

# Liverpool: Neil Jones drops early team news

**Goal.com correspondent [Neil Jones](https://twitter.com/neiljonesgoal/status/1519228944368771073?s=20&t=wSCkIkktZCAmf8CplJir0Q) expects a [Liverpool](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fc-news/) centre-back change ahead of the UEFA Champions League semi-final clash with Villarreal.**

### The lowdown: Big game player

Having arrived at Anfield from RB Leipzig for £36million in 2021 ([Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/12316877/ibrahima-konate-liverpool-sign-centre-back-from-rb-leipzig)), Ibrahima Konate has already gone from strength to strength in a short spell on Merseyside.

Signed following a wretched 2020/21 campaign with central defensive issues in Jurgen Klopp’s squad, the Frenchman was expected to act as an understudy to a returning Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.

However, Konate has already been [thrown in at the deep end](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ibrahima-konate/leistungsdaten/spieler/357119) on numerous occasions, starting against Manchester United at Old Trafford, in the FA Cup semi-final success over Manchester City and in both legs of the quarter-final victory over Benfica.

[Latest Liverpool transfer news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-30/)

Now, Klopp could be about to show the 22-year-old even more faith…

### The latest: Jones drops starting XI claim

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/neiljonesgoal/status/1519228944368771073?s=20&t=wSCkIkktZCAmf8CplJir0Q) when citing an in-depth report on the centre-back, Jones suggested that Konate is in line to start when the Reds face Villarreal at Anfield.

“I may be wrong, but I expect Ibrahima Konaté to start for Liverpool tonight. As debuts seasons go, his has been more than decent, and with the promise of even better things to come.”

Meanwhile, a report from the [Liverpool Echo](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-training-champions-league-villarreal-23793014) has noted that neither Kostas Tsimikas nor Roberto Firmino were spotted in Tuesday’s training session and both could be out of contention for the European showdown.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”388785″\]

### The verdict: No dramas

Previously, the prospect of breaking up such a well-oiled partnership of Matip and Van Dijk might’ve sent shivers down the spine of even the most hard-faced Liverpool fan. However, such is the impact and quality of Konate, that the thought of the [13-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ibrahima-konate/nationalmannschaft/spieler/357119/verein_id/9323) France Under 21 colossus being involved from the outset has become the norm.

So far this season, the man once hailed as [‘exceptional’](https://www.footballinsider247.com/ibrahima-konate-hailed-exceptional-by-pundit-after-crazy-liverpool-reveal/) by Kevin Campbell has made 22 appearances across all competitions, completing 55.6 passes, winning 4.4 aerials duels and making 3.5 clearances per game on average whilst earning a 7.08 rating from eight Premier League outings in the process ([Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/ibrahima-konate/826215)).

\[freshpress-poll id=”388775″\]

Such is the wealth of options currently at Klopp’s disposal and the quality of recent recruitment, almost whoever is asked to lineup will almost undoubtedly do so with a high level of performance and Konate’s early showings at Anfield mean the powerful defender is certainly no exception.

***In other news, an expert has made a Liverpool transfer claim. Read more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fc-news/dean-jones-declan-rice-liverpool-transfer-claim/).***