"You have to fight" - Ibrahima Konate on pushing for a starting position at Liverpool

Liverpool's new centre-back, Ibrahima Konate, has spoken about fighting for his place in Jurgen Klopp's starting 11.

Heading into this season, Liverpool's only summer signing was Konate from RB Leipzig for a fee of £36m.

Since signing for the Reds, Konate has only managed to play 17 games, a majority of which came in the cup competitions.

The lack of game time for the Frenchman is due to Joel Matip having an injury-free season.

However, the 22-year-old understands the position he is in and is willing to fight for his spot in the starting 11.

“You have to be ready every time and if you play [well], you put some problems in the head of the coach and this is good for the group and for you," said Konate to Liverpool FC.

"If you don’t play it’s normal you are not happy, you are sad. Everybody knows this because every footballer wants to play important games or wants to play normal games, but in the Premier League, you don’t have normal games!

“Then you have to fight, you have to work more and if you don’t play you have to think and ask yourself [why]. If you have the answer to your question, you work on this and after your time will be coming. With the work, your time will be coming, for sure.”

Anfield Watch Verdict

Every time we have seen Konate start this season he has been unbelievable. At times it's like watching a younger Virgil van Dijk.

The fact that he is only 22-years-old is absolutely crazy too. He looks so comfortable whenever he plays and it feels like he has been coached by Jurgen Klopp for years.

Konate's time starting for Liverpool will come, but there is no point rushing him into the first team when Matip is in the form of his life.

It also seems like the Frenchman has overtaken Joe Gomez in the pecking order so that should tell you how much Klopp rates the youngster.