Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate reveals bizarre TV programmes he watches before games to ‘give him determination’
IBRAHIMA KONATE has revealed he draws inspiration for Liverpool games from Japanese cartoons.
The France defender said he is a big fan of manga comics and anime films.
And Konate, 24, said he models himself on Vegeta, a warrior prince in the Dragon Ball franchise.
The centre-back joined the Reds from RB Leipzig for £36million in 2021.
Paris-born Konate has since had Japanese clubmates in midfielder Wataru Endo and winger Takumi Minamino.
The defender said: “Sometimes when I look at manga my Liverpool teammates tell me: ‘Ibou, you’re too old for that.’
“But they don’t understand that manga is not just a visual pleasure for me, but something that inspires me in my day-to-day life.
“There are genuine messages in it. Sometimes, before certain games, I will put on some battle scenes from it and they fill me with determination.
“Vegeta is a short-tempered character. But the mindset he shows, of working to be better than the best, is something that motivates me.
“Sometimes while I am training I think of him, and it gives me a boost. He is a daily inspiration.”
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Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, died on March 1 aged 68.
“May peace be on his soul,” Konate added. “I thank him for all the emotions he has given us.”