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.
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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."
