'I'm told' -  Fabrizio says Liverpool are 'super, super happy' after they triggered £36m exit clause to sign 22 y/o

Liverpool signed Ibrahima Konate in the summer after triggering his release clause which required them to pay £36million to sign the 22-year-old and it's going very well.

The Frenchman was a bit shaky at first but it's been clear since day one why Jurgen Klopp wanted him at Anfield so badly and it's a testament to the season that Joel Matip is having that it's January already and Konate is still not a starter.

Liverpool pleased with Konate signing after triggering release clause

And Fabrizio Romano says he's been told that Liverpool are as happy as can be with the young defender.

He told the Anfield Watch as part of an exclusive interview: "Liverpool are looking for a new midfielder in summer 2022.

"In defence, they've done fantastic business with Ibrahima Konate. I'm told they're super, super happy with his attitude, how professional he is and how he's performing and adapting to a new league.

"This is the plan for Liverpool, to have new players behind the big stars, ready to jump into the first team and show their skills.

"I can't say it will definitely be a big window because it depends on the opportunities but Liverpool always show that they are ready to do it."

Konate holds the key for Liverpool's long-term future

The former RB Leipzig star isn't being rushed into the starting XI because there's no reason to. He's still only 22 and so Liverpool have a long time to get him up to speed.

On another hand, Matip is at the other end of his career and Klopp is clearly keen to get the most of the Cameroonian while he still can and given his injury record, it's come as a surprise to see him remain fit for this long.

It's a refreshing change after last season saw every centre-back at the club suffer from injuries and ironically it's the only area of the pitch not affected by COVID-19 or lack of depth.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have taken their leave for AFCON so the attack is looking thin while not replacing Georginio Wijnaldum last season is looking like an even more questionable decision.

Naby Keita is also at AFCON this month but Thiago has battled with injury this season and testing positive for COVID-19 certainly didn't help either as he is yet to return to training since.