Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is convinced the return of their senior centre-halves this season is a huge boost.

Gomez, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk have all returned from injury suffered last term.

That's part and parcel of being at a top club, I think," he told Liverpoolfc.com.

“That's what this club deserves and that's what we all thrive off: competition is good and it's healthy. But we can all learn off one another, I think each of us is different and we've got top quality.

“Obviously the likes of Rhys and Nat and Ben and so on, all top players, and it'll be good this season. Now it's just to learn from each other and keep pushing each other, day in and day out."

On Konate specifically, Gomez continued: “Ibou's top. He's a great player and has adapted straight away to our style of play. Obviously it can be high-intensity sometimes but he's got all the attributes to thrive I think."