Real Madrid transfer target Ibrahima Konate makes prediction - 'I have no doubt'

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

Ibrahima Konate insists he has no doubts that Hugo Ekitike will flourish at Liverpool, disclosing the extraordinary lengths his fellow Frenchman has been prepared to go to during his spell at Anfield in pursuit of international recognition. Ekitike arrived at Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt in July without a single senior cap to his name, before his impressive performances earned him a call-up to the national squad for September's international fixtures.

"Once, I pulled his ears a little, but it was funny," Konate said. "I go to him, and I tell him, 'Go ahead, we're going to the gym there.' Konate is confident that Hugo Ekitike will be a star at Liverpool (Image: Getty Images) "And he told me, 'I'm knocked out here, I'm tired.' "In fact, we don't have to go to the gym, but it's better to go, because we're like 'summoned.' "I look at him and for two seconds, I don't talk to him.

"And I said to him, 'Do you want to go to the France team or not?' "And then I leave (laughs). "In terms of work, he's someone who is very diligent and who will progress, I have no doubt about that." Both Ekitike and Konate may feature when France hosts Ukraine in Thursday's World Cup qualifier.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.