Ibrahima Konate believes that Mohamed Salah is a better player for Liverpool than Virgil van Dijk at the moment.
This season, several members of Liverpool’s first-team squad have performed well below their usual standards.
Konate and Salah have been the two biggest culprits for this, with both costing Liverpool valuable points more than once this season.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
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However, despite Salah’s poor form this term, Konate still believes that he’s the Reds’ best player despite Van Dijk carrying Arne Slot’s defensive line on his back.
Ibrahima Konate says that Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s best player
Salah was the Reds’ star man last term as he contributed to over 50 goals across all competitions.
And, if Liverpool had even just got to the semi-finals of the Champions League rather than getting knocked out in the round of 16, he’d have had a much better chance of winning the Ballon d’Or.
Indeed, his performances from the start of the 2025-26 season were fresh in the minds of those choosing the winner, so this likely also had a part to play in him not coming away with the trophy.
Despite all of this, while speaking to Sports Direct, Konate was asked who Liverpool’s best player is, and without hesitation, he replied: “Mohamed Salah.”
Mohamed Salah could end up being replaced by Antoine Semenyo if he doesn’t get back to his best soon
Seeing as though Salah’s recent form has been poor, it’s not a surprise to see links with potential wingers re-emerging.
And, as per a report from The i journalist Mark Douglas, Liverpool could make a move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo in the January transfer window.
The attacker can play on either wing and, compared to the performances of most of the Reds’ attackers, he’d feel like a massive upgrade.
Semenyo has been one of the Premier League’s best performers this term, with the Ghanaian even available to play during AFCON since his country didn’t qualify for the tournament.
He has a release clause in his contract with the Cherries that Liverpool would look to ‘exploit’ if given the chance to make a move.
The attacker would be a welcome addition to Slot’s ranks as he’d be able to bring back the pressing nature of someone such as Luis Diaz, who has been a massive miss after his move to Bayern Munich.
These links aren’t just emerging by accident, and if Salah doesn’t get back to his best soon, there’s no reason why Liverpool shouldn’t make a move for Semenyo as soon as humanly possible.