Press conferenceIbrahima Konate assesses his development at Liverpool and reveals 2024-25 goals target

The 25-year-old defender is in the middle of his fourth season as a Red since arriving from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021.

His development as a leader for the teams he represents was highlighted in November when he captained the France national team from the start in a UEFA Nations League win over Italy.

"I remember I came in this club when I was 21, I was really young and the players around me were older than me," Konate said at a press conference. "I think I grow up in every situation like a human, like a player and I take a lot of experience.

"I think the club helped me a lot to be the captain of the French squad. It was a great moment for me but it was just the start and I just have to work hard to be in this way."

Konate has further targets in his sights as he revealed an aim to improve his threat in opposition penalty areas.

The centre-half has scored five times for Liverpool in all competitions and wants the 2024-25 season to be his most productive yet.

He said: "This is very important, especially for a defender. We want a clean sheet always.

"Like I said, I've scored five goals and I really hope for more because my target this season is to score four goals – I have two left. If I score two more, I will be very happy.

"But the most important thing is to have a win with a clean sheet and for my goal it's OK, it's not important."

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Konate was speaking to reporters on the eve of Liverpool's Champions League meeting with Lille at Anfield.

The Reds only need a point to confirm their place in the last 16 but will look to take all three when they come up against their in-form opponents from Ligue 1.

"This is one of our targets, to finish top of the Champions League [league phase], but this will start tomorrow again because we play against Lille," the No.5 continued.

"It's a very good team and we have to be ready because they come here to make a result against us. We will try to have [the] three points tomorrow."

Watch the press conference Konate and head coach Arne Slot attended in full with the video below...