Liverpool defender admits ‘he could never have imagined’ his ‘exceptional’ first season

Ibrahima Konate admits he could never have imagined his first season with Liverpool going as well as it has done so far.

Since arriving last summer from RB Leipzig for £36million, the 22-year-old has quickly established himself as a more-than-reliable central-defensive partner for Virgil van Dijk.

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The Frenchman has started six of the last seven Champions League matches, scored the crucial opening goal against Manchester City in last month’s FA Cup semi-final and is set to be named in the side at Wembley again when they face Chelsea in the final.

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“Never at any moment in my life could I have imagined this,” said Konate, who won the Carabao Cup within seven months of arriving and could still end his first season with a quadruple.

“I knew I was joining a very big club, a club that has set out to win things, titles and trophies, but this season has been exceptional.

“It’s a historic one for the club and it’s hard to put into words. It’s super exciting to be a part of.

“My expectation was to come here and work. The club has a very strong work ethic.

“Of course I’m very happy to be playing in these big matches which are coming up so frequently.

LFC are quite mad.