Ibrahima Konate admits that he once told Hugo Ekitike off at Liverpool after what he tried to do

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.

The duo are the only two French players among Liverpool’s ranks at the moment, with both of them becoming regular starters for Arne Slot.Of the two, Ekitike has been the one in better form this season, with Konate putting in some of his worst-ever performances for Liverpool. However, after Ekitike’s outing against Manchester City on Sunday, that might get flipped on its head once again, especially if he doesn’t improve his performance once he’s returned from international duty.Although none of Liverpool’s first-team squad have done all that much this season, the bromance between Ekitike and Konate seems to have grown strong, with the centre-back now admitting that he’s already had to tell his fellow countryman off.Ibrahima Konate told Hugo Ekitike off for not going to the gym after Liverpool trainingBefore Ekitike joined Liverpool, the striker was overlooked by Didier Deschamps despite him being one of France’s most in-form number nines.

Now, however, he’s become a regular feature with Konate suggesting that Ekitike’s initial inclusion was down to him as he pushed him to better himself. He was tired because we put a lot of intensity into sessions; it is really hard.“I go and see him to tell him to come to the gym, and he tells me, ‘But I’m shattered’.

For the most part, Ekitike’s Liverpool performances have been impressive, but, if we’re being honest, he was shocking against Man City. Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesThis is far from ideal for Slot as Isak isn’t fully fit yet, and even though Cody Gakpo can be used there if needed, he’s likely to be used on the left wing in Liverpool’s next couple of games due to how much football Florian Wirtz has played.