Ibrahima Konate has made it clear that he ‘needs to play more’ at Liverpool, but he understands that it’s ‘not easy’ under Jurgen Klopp, as he told the club’s official website.
In the summer, Liverpool didn’t do much talking in the transfer market, other than bringing in Konate’s defensive talents from RB Leipzig.
The 22-year-old is still settling into his new home and he has started a total of four matches in all competitions.
It doesn’t help matters when you have someone like Joel Matip’s qualities to partner Virgil van Dijk, not forgetting Joe Gomez, who is also searching for those minutes.
Nonetheless, this is what Konate said about game time and trying to earn that call-up to the France senior team.
“For sure it is not easy because every player wants to play, you know?” said Konate.
“But I know I am young and I need to work to play. I was in Germany and now I am in the Premier League in Liverpool, one of the best teams in the world.
“It is not easy to come and play automatically at Liverpool. I know Jürgen, I know what he does and of course, I need to work. I hope with time this [being selected] will be automatic. I will work for this.
“I am focused on the club and I need to play more. I need to improve every day. For sure, playing for the national team is a dream for me and for my family.”
Klopp has always proven that when a new face comes in, he doesn’t throw them straight into the deep end and he does allow them to settle.
Andy Robertson is a prime example, as is someone like Fabinho, Diogo Jota is another and Konstantinos Tsimikas.
All are now thriving, even if in the latter’s case, he isn’t the first-choice left-back, but he is producing top-quality performances when handed the chances.
Those minutes for Konate will only increase as the season drags on and he might just now get a bundle of minutes during these next few months because of the heavy fixture load.
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