Liverpool signing Ibrahima Konate is capable of playing in midfield, says a former teamate.

Many expect the Frenchman to join the Reds as centre-back option after impressing for RB Leipzig in the heart of their defence over the past couple of seasons.

But Bryan Lasme, a former team-mate and close friend of Konate, has revealed the 22-year-old arrived in Sochaux as a midfielder.

And it was only at Under-17 level, and thanks to the foresight of coach Eric Hely, that he made the switch to centre-back.

“It wasn't an obvious move, to be honest," Lasme told Goal.com. “Because as a midfielder, he was good! He was technical, he was fast, he was strong and he could play.

“He had the qualities you would want in a midfield player."