Ibrahima Konate's frustrating time with injuries limited him to less than half of the campaign in 2022/23.
Konate looked set to truly establish himself as one of the most commanding young defenders on the continent 12 months ago.
Konate was sidelined for around two-and-a-half months and was forced to wait until mid-October for his first start
His speed, strength and composure in possession helped stabilise a defence that was being cut through all too easily at the time.
From January 7, though, the message from Klopp was clear where Konate was concerned. If the Frenchman was fit, he would start
Konate spent a month on the shelf with another injury concern in February, missing five matches in total after picking up a hamstring problem in the FA Cup defeat at Brighton
Konate on Trent switch
"I think it is important that we can involve Trent further up the field because of the quality he has in his game," Konate said recently. "We all know what a great passer of the ball he is - I'd say he is one of the best passers of the ball in the world.
"I think it has made us more clinical and decisive in front of goal and let's face it, to win games you have to score goals. We do talk but the main thing is we all know our roles and we know what to do.
"Obviously when you try to communicate in a noisy stadium sometimes you can't hear anybody but yes I do have more responsibility now. The main thing is you are doing it not for yourself but for the team and certainly I am finishing games a little bit more tired than I used to!"
The 2022/23 season was not as eventful or as memorable as his maiden one at the club but few are doubting the defender's potential to become of Europe's best in the coming years
He just needs to stay fit
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