Michael Owen explains why he was worried about the Liverpool defender after Porto’s bid

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Michael Owen said Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate “worries him” after the defender’s first-half performance against Porto in the Champions League.

The match was goalless at the break, but the guests had a number of opportunities to take the lead in the first 45 minutes.

Konate was cautioned after half an hour for a challenge to Mario’s side.

And the 22-year-old’s mistakes led to a few chances for Porto.

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According to analyst and former Reds striker Owen, more communication was needed between Konate and his partner in central defence, Joel Matip.

“It’s a huge game for Porto and they’ve been there once or twice,” Owen told BT Sport during the first half analysis.

Konate worries me a little bit, I must say.

“He’s a little pushy, he’s coming in and he loves to highlight guys and a lot of times he gets behind him.

“A few times there we lost one or two of the reel, we could show where people were behind so I think they just have to be careful without [Virgil] Van Dyck is there.

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“Communication may be a key between them. They don’t shock me as players, Matip and Konate, they will talk to each other a lot.

“They looked a bit weak. They need to toughen it up.”

Van Dijk was rested by manager Jurgen Klopp as the Reds had already qualified for the knockout stages.

Tonight’s match is Konate’s first appearance in the Champions League this season, but it is the fifth of the season in all competitions.

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