Ibrahima Konate says he is inspired to win the trophy for the “incredible” Mohamed Salah and has tipped his Liverpool team-mate to win the Ballon d’Or.

The Egyptian forward, 32, is currently enjoying the best season of his illustrious career, registering 21 goals and 17 assists in 29 appearances for the Premier League title chasers.

Salah has never been higher than fifth in the Ballon d’Or standings before, and Konate is determined to help Liverpool win as many trophies as possible so he can finally win the award.

“Everything he’s done since the start of the season, even since he’s played for Liverpool – what he’s done is crazy,” defender Connaught said.

“I really hope we achieve great things this season because if he keeps going like this, I think he can win the Ballon d’Or at the end of the season.

“He would never say that because I think his aim is just to win big things with Liverpool. He doesn’t really think about himself like, ‘OK, I want to score more goals, I want to help more’ – he just Want to win the game.

“He just wants to share his experience with new players, young players. And for me, to be a player like that at his age and to be a professional like him is unbelievable.”

Konate on Van Dijk: ‘What a defender’

Conat also reserved praise for centre-back partner and Reds captain Virgil van Dijk, admitting he was unaware of the Dutch defender’s ability before arriving at Anfield.

“What a defender,” he smiles again. “When I was in Leipzig and I saw a few Liverpool games, I had no idea how good he was.

“And sometimes when I come here I think, no, how is this possible? He is very good. When I first came here, he gave me a lot of advice and helped me adapt.

“Now on the pitch, how I need him, I think it’s the same for him with me. We just work together and try to be the best partnership in the world.

“Some strikers look at Virgil, and are like, ‘OK, now I have no chance against him.’ They don’t give 100 percent.

Slot vs Klopp

The duo’s defensive chemistry has reached another level since manager Arne Slott replaced Jurgen Klopp at Merseyside, with only Arsenal bettering the Reds’ defensive record this season.

Konate believes Slott has brought a new level of control and explained the differences between how the backline operates this term compared to the years under his German predecessor.

He added: “(Trent Alexander-Arnold) helps a lot when we attack which leaves me big space to defend. But the way the manager got us all together to defend has helped me and the team a lot.

“If you can look and compare last season or the season before, we were more open. But now when we lose the ball, everyone tries to help the team and I think we are more together.

“No one expected the manager to do what he has done since the start of the season. He has a good game idea, he knows what to do and it’s not about adapting to another team. I think that makes a huge difference for us compared to under Jurgen.”