Ibrahima Konate has revealed the intensity of Liverpool’s training is helping him sleep soundly at night, but he’s relishing every moment of the hard work being put in.

The 22-year-old is experiencing his first pre-season with the Reds after completing a transfer from RB Leipzig earlier this summer.

Konate ackowledges the sessions are gruelling, but knows he and his teammates will reap the benefits of the work when the season gets under way later this month.

“For sure [it’s tough], but I don’t care about this,” the No.5 told Liverpoolfc.com. “We are here, we are a good and big team and we have to run and we have to win the intensity in the games. For this, the training is hard but when the work is hard we will be better.

“I’m sleeping well because I have to sleep and don’t have a choice! When I go to my bed I am tired and I have to sleep. I sleep immediately!”

Konate secured another 45-minute runout during Liverpool’s last pre-season friendly against Hertha BSC on Thursday and is set to be involved once more in this week’s double-header with Bologna in France.

“I am very happy to be here with the team, I am very happy to start my first minutes with the team,” he added. “I have a good relationship with all the players in the team and for this, I am very happy to be here.

“I can speak French with some players, but I can also speak English with other players – and German, too. It is easy to speak with the players and communicate, I don’t have a problem with this.”

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