Ibrahima Konate is determined to have a long career at Liverpool despite admitting this season has proven "complicated" for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Konate, who has become a key player for the Reds since arriving from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021, is currently with France preparing for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Holland on Friday and the Republic of Ireland on Monday.
The 23-year-old centre-back has been restricted to just 13 club starts this season due to several injury setbacks but has featured in each of the last four games as Liverpool look to chase down a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
READ MORE: Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo sent home from Holland squad after virus outbreak
READ MORE: Liverpool release 23 pictures of new limited edition Converse range
And while acknowledging the difficulties of the campaign, Konate wants to become part of the Anfield furniture for years to come.
"When you play for Liverpool, the question honestly is, ‘Where can I go next?’" said the defender. "And to last at this club, you have to perform. My goal is to be part of the team in the short and long-term, and of course to win all the titles.
"We'll admit it: this season is more complicated for all of us, for the whole club. Nobody is better placed to talk about the reasons than the coach.
"We were unlucky to have a lot of injured players like me at the beginning of the season, maybe we were short of manpower, the workload was intense and it became complicated. But the season is not over."
Konate and Virgil van Dijk have emerged as the first-choice centre-back partnership for Liverpool, although they have been limited to just eight games together this season.
And, speaking to Eurosport France, the Liverpool defender dismissed comparisons between Van Dijk and his France and former RB Leipzig team-mate Dayot Upamecano by placing his Reds colleague in a completely different sphere.
"What kind of question is that?" said Konate. "You can't compare the two. With Upamecano, we are in the same category even if he is a very high competitor.
"But Van Dijk, I put him on a different planet. We're still a long way from achieving what he did. Although we will get there one day, I have no doubt.
"What have I learned from playing with Van Dijk? Leadership, he has such an ease in defending on certain players.
"He has his own technique, it's incredible. His determination, his drive. He has an aura on the pitch, you always feel it. It's an exceptional chance to play with him. But I also have to look at my career and not look at him as a fan all the time."
READ NEXT:
FSG still waiting for 'marker' in Liverpool deal after Man United sale update
- Man United could hand Liverpool transfer windfall this summer with midfielder deal
- Darwin Nunez injury latest amid Uruguay decision after Jurgen Klopp comments
Liverpool face up to Thiago Alcantara reality as injury problem becomes clear
- Bayern Munich 'unhappy' with Sadio Mane as big Liverpool problem explained
