Liverpool news: Ibrahima Konate praised by Micah Richards

Former Premier League defender Micah Richards believes Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate has "so much potential" and believes the Frenchman could become "top class".

Speaking on Match of the Day, Richards said: "He's got all the tools to be a top class centre half. It's always been Van Dijk and another, Quansah started the season and Arne Slot brought Konate on at half-time.

"His positioning has got a lot better, you see the size of him, the frame of him. In the air he's really good."

Speaking about Konate's goal against Wolves , Richards said: "This is what he can do, when he's given the licence to go forward and win the header."

But, he does believe there are some improvements that the 25-year-old needs to make before fulfilling his potential, such as "communication" and "being the leader at the back".

"For Wolves' goal there was a communication error between Alisson and him, just kick it out don't worry about it - safety should always be first," said Richards.

"I watched him a lot at Leipzig - there's so much potential.

"There's all these things he's tremendous at - last ditch tackles he can do that, he can get back in, pace - no problem at all. To go to the next level now if he can just concentrate a little bit more and be a bit more assured on the ball."