Gabriel Martinelli says Liverpool has a player even harder to face than Virgil van Dijk

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli in the .

The 23-year-old had little joy during as the Reds defense stood firm against the Gunners' dangerous attack, preventing him from adding to his five previous goals against them.

was Martinelli's main opponent down the left flank but center-backs also had their fair share of battles with the Brazilian to contend with, with one of them, in particular, leaving him frustrated throughout the afternoon.

While is widely regarded as the best defender in the Premier League, it was his defensive partner who left a lasting impression on tricky winger, who has since claimed he is his toughest ever opponent.

When asked to name the ‘most difficult defender to play against’ during an interview with , Martinelli said: “It has to be Walker and Konate. They’re both tough to beat. I see how he is, how his body is and try to do what I do to beat him.”

Konate has been in outstanding form so far this season, playing a major role in helping Liverpool keep seven clean sheets in its 14 games and even grabbing himself two goals and an assist at the other end of the pitch.

His performances , too, with keen to include him in his long-term plans, while there was also a landmark occasion for the 25-year-old last month in the latter stages of its most recent fixture.

But as Martinelli alludes to, it is Konate's physicality that is his biggest strength on the pitch, with his size and stature making it almost impossible for attackers to contend with. In the air and on the ground, the Frenchman often dominates his opponent.

And alongside Van Dijk, the duo make for one of the toughest center-back pairings, and have put themselves well in the conversation for the best defensive partnership in the Premier League with their performances so far this season.