Ibrahima Konate's Euro 2024 comments speak volumes about Liverpool star

Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konate has revealed details of his elite-level mentality as he opened up on a mixed end to the previous Premier League campaign after joining up with his national team for Euro 2024.

The 25-year-old is widely considered to be Virgil van Dijk's long-term natural successor as the leader within the Reds' backline, having impressed during his three campaigns on Merseyside. Blessed with the leadership qualities required to organize a defence, alongside an elegance and athleticism in his general play, there is no doubting his world-class credentials.

However, injuries and a downturn in form have blighted periods during his time with the Reds, with the former RB Leipzig star having been limited to only 22 outings in the Premier League last term. In addition to this, Konate played just 11 times in the league in his first season, followed by 18 appearances in his second year.

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Last term, his season ended on something of a whimper, having been benched by Jurgen Klopp for seven of the final ten games of the Reds' run-in upon his return from a thigh issue. Of the three games the 16-time international featured in during that block of matches, Liverpool fell to defeat twice - with losses coming to Crystal Palace and Everton.

After losing his place in the side in this period, with youngster Jarrell Quansah largely preferred over him in that time, it appears that Konate was determined to keep level-headed. Speaking to Le Monde about how the end to the campaign played out, he said: "Demotion is not the right word. There was nothing at stake in Liverpool's last few games.

"If that had been the case, I would have been in a different mood and I would have discussed it with the coach. But I've worked twice as hard on my own, alongside my club training, to be ready for this Euro. Mentally, there's nothing to say. Physically, I'm still lacking a bit of game time in my legs, but I'm not worried."

Discussing how he has been able to deal with setbacks in his career, the Frenchman divulged that he does so by the following means: "By telling myself that a career is short and that now is not the time to waver. Sometimes, when I'm lying in bed, I say to myself that if I hadn't been injured, I'd have been really strong, maybe the best central defender today.

"But that's all part of being a footballer," he continued, in a telling remark about the mental strength required for players operating at the highest level. "It doesn't stop me from moving forward and, on the contrary, it gives me a mentality of steel. On the pitch and in my private life."

As the defensive colossus prepares to face off against Van Dijk for France in their game against the Netherlands at Euro 2024, Konate also spoke glowingly about his Liverpool teammate. In a wide-ranging discussion, the defender also spoke of his admiration for the Reds and Holland skipper, saying: "For me, he's the best."

"I try to get the better of him. What I've learned from him: his calm, his serenity. And then there's his aura. Some strikers have already lost psychologically, even before their duel with him. That's my aim, to intimidate the opponent so that, in future matches, he'll go and fight the duel with another player."