Ibrahima Konate wants a 'better career' than Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk

The 24-year-old centre-back signed for the Reds from RB Leipzig in 2021 and is determined to become as successful as Van Dijk has been at Anfield.

Konate looks up to the experienced Dutch defender and learns a lot from him, but he is also aiming high and stated that Van Dijk is well aware of his goal of enjoying an even more successful career.

Despite his admiration for Van Dijk, Konate also revealed that his idol is Real Madrid and Spain legend Sergio Ramos.

"There are very few defenders who have managed to have as good a career as him (Van Dijk)," Konate said in an interview with Le Parisien.

"I learn a lot alongside him. My goal, and he knows it, is to have a better career than him. My No.1 has long been Sergio Ramos."

On the international front, Konate has been identified as a potential replacement for French compatriot Raphael Varane, who retired from international football. However, Konate doesn't quite feel ready to fill the Manchester United defender's shoes.

"Not yet," he added. "It's one of my goals but I'm still far from everything he's won, his track record, everything Raphael Varane has achieved."

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