Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate admits he's surprised himself in his first season in England.

Konate has said that he was prepared to only be intermittently involved in the starting line-up after his £35m summer move from RB Leipzig.

The 22-year-old has made four league starts so far.

"I love the challenge. Because yes, if I come here it's a big sacrifice because I know at Leipzig for sure I will play all the games in the season, but is this good for me or not?" he told Liverpool's official site.

"Because maybe at Leipzig I would not work more, because maybe in myself I will say, 'Yes, OK, I will play every game, I don't need to work more.' If I go to Liverpool, you don't have the choice."