Ibrahima Konate says he is inspired to win trophies by the “wonderful” Mohamed Salah and tipped his Liverpool team-mate to win the Ballon d'Or.
The 32-year-old Egyptian striker is currently enjoying the best season of his illustrious career, scoring 21 goals and making 17 assists in 29 appearances for the side chasing the Premier League title.
Salah has never finished higher than fifth in the Ballon d'Or standings, and Konate is determined to help Liverpool win as many trophies as possible to ensure he finally wins the award.
Defender Konate said: “Everything he has done since the beginning of the season, even since he played for Liverpool, what he has done is crazy.”
“I really hope we achieve great things this season because if he continues like this, I think at the end of the season he can win the Ballon d'Or.
“He would never say that because I think his goal is to win big things with Liverpool. He doesn't really think about himself like: 'Okay, I want to score more goals, I want to get more assists' – he just wants to win the game.
“He just wants to share his experience with the new players, the young players. For me, it is unbelievable to be a player like this at his age and to be a professional in this way.
Konate on Van Dijk: What a defender
Konate also praised centre-back partner and Reds captain Virgil van Dijk, admitting he was unaware of the Dutch defender's abilities before his arrival at Anfield.
“What a defender,” he smiles again. “When I was at Leipzig and watched some Liverpool matches, I didn't realize how good they were.
“And when I came here sometimes I thought, ‘No, how is this possible?’ He’s so good. When I first came here, he gave me a lot of advice and helped me adapt.
“On the field now, how much I need him, I think it's the same for me. We work together and try to be the best partnership in the world.
“Some strikers see Virgil and say: 'Well, now I have no chance against him.' They are not giving 100%.”
Slot vs. Club
The duo's defensive chemistry has risen to another level since manager Arne Sloat succeeded Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside, with only Arsenal bettering the Reds' defensive record this season.
Konate believes Sloat has brought a new level of control and highlighted the differences between how the backline operates this season compared to the years he spent under his German predecessor.
He added: “(Trent Alexander-Arnold) helps me a lot when we attack, which leaves me a lot of space to defend. But the way the coach explained to us how to defend together helped me a lot and helped the team a lot.
“If you can see and compare last season or the previous season as well, we were more vulnerable. But now when we lose the ball, everyone tries to help the team and I think we are more together.
“No one expected the coach to do what he did from the start of the season. He has a great idea of the game, he knows what to do and it's not about adapting to the other team. I think that makes a big difference for us compared to Jurgen's leadership.”
