Liverpool made perfect early decision with £36m transfer as ‘big talent’ emerges

In true centre-back style, Ibrahima Konate probably left Lisbon thinking more about what he did in his own penalty area than Benfica's on Tuesday night.

It was a milestone moment for the Liverpool defender as he registered his first goal for the Reds with an excellent header, but he was likely reflecting about the second-half mishap that allowed Darwin Nunez to reduce arrears more when the flight left Portugal later that night.

Such is the life of a defender at the elite level, but one miscue aside, Konate will be able to reflect on another impressive night in his fledgling Liverpool career after they took a big stride towards the Champions League semi-finals at Estadio da Luz.

Konate's first-half header saw him become the 20th different goalscorer for Jurgen Klopp this season but it will have been his work at the back alongside Virgil van Dijk that will have pleased the manager more. The quietly impressive adaptation to Liverpool life goes on for the young and assuming Frenchman.

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