Liverpool have some of the best players in the world in their current squad, with Virgil van Dijk amongst the very top in his position.

The Netherlands centre-back has enjoyed a fantastic season with the Reds under Arne Slot, with Liverpool confident that Van Dijk will sign a new contract as the defender slowly creeps towards free agency this summer.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to join Real Madrid, keeping hold of Van Dijk is massive for Liverpool, with the defender showing no sign of dropping form after one of his best years yet at the back for the Anfield side.

And one Liverpool defender has now said he aims to become as good as Van Dijk in the seasons to come.

Ibrahima Konate reveals why he is frustrated to play WITH Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk, as defender aims cheeky dig at his captain	Declan Rice makes worrying title admission as Arsenal's mistake become clearer	Report: Liverpool to now rival Real Madrid for Bundesliga defender likened to World Cup winner

READ MORE: Arne Slot has three clear options for Liverpool vice-captain when Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Speaking on the Sky Sports Football Podcast, Ibrahima Konate has said he’s told Van Dijk of his intentions to become as good as the Dutch international, with the French international also enjoying a great year in Liverpool’s defence.

Although Konate’s recent performance with France was criticised by the media, the former RB Leipzig star has had his most consistent season yet with Liverpool having managed to overcome his injury issues, and the defender has said he has a lofty goal of becoming as good as Van Dijk.

Konate said: “It’s not only about Virgil, it’s about Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, all of these players, I took a lot from all of them.

But we know Virgil, how special he is and how good he is, what he has done in the last few years, for sure, he’s so good.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES

“I take a few things from him and I learn a lot, he gives me a lot of advice when I came to the club, but like I’ve said to him: ‘I will be better than you one day’, that’s why I work hard every day to achieve this.”

With Konate now on Madrid’s transfer radar, there’s no denying that the Liverpool defender is growing into one of the best centre-backs in the world, with the 25-year-old forming a sensational partnership with Van Dijk for the Reds.

Yet whether or not Konate could become as good as Van Dijk is another question entirely, with the Dutch international set to go down in Premier League history as one of the greatest defenders the division has ever seen.

However, with Konate relatively young for a centre-back and this season enjoying his best year yet for the Reds, the sky is the limit for the defender, especially of the Paris-born star is now over his injury problems.