After a small wait following his EURO Under-21 exploits with France, Ibrahima Konaté is now training with Liverpool following a £36m move.
The towering centre-back joined from RB Leipzig at the start of the window, and has been pictured in training at Liverpool’s pre-season camp in Austria.
You would like Konaté to settle in and gel with as many of his new teammates as quickly as possible, and it sounds like he’s done just that.
Is Ibrahima Konaté settling in well?
Speaking to LFCTV, the 22-year-old revealed the five players in Jürgen Klopp’s squad who he’s already bonded with.
Konaté said: “(I’ve bonded with) Van Dijk a little bit, Mane, because he speaks French, Naby, I’ve known him for a long time, Origi and Salah.”
Now, that’s not a bad bunch to strike up a relationship with!
Could have a positive influence on him
All five, with the exception of Keita and Origi perhaps, are among Klopp’s senior figures, and are also among the best in the world in their position.
If the trio take him under their wing, then perhaps the Frenchman’s authority around Anfield will be taken up a notch.
At just 22 years of age, that would also go a huge way to increasing his confidence, which is going to be vital following such a big move.
A few shaky performances, and you can guarantee people will talk about his £36m price tag.
However, with the £75m man Van Dijk, £34.3m Salah and £34m Mane keeping an eye on him, we’re sure he’ll be able to cope.
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