Ibrahima Konate admits his Liverpool debut was an 'unforgettable moment'

Ibrahima Konate has admitted his Liverpool debut was an 'unforgettable moment' in his career after making his first appearance for the Reds on Tuesday night.

The £36million summer signing from RB Leipzig played in the second of Liverpool's back-to-back, 30 minute friendlies against Wacker Innsbruck and Stuttgart in Austria.

Konate played in Jurgen Klopp's second team, which also included Mohamed Salah, James Milner and Naby Keita, were held to a 1-1 draw by Stuttgart after Sadio Mane cancelled out Philipp Forster's opening goal.

But Konate, 22, delivered a composed performance alongside youngster Rhys Williams in defence and insisted he was 'very happy' with the team's performance.

'Yes, I am very happy,' Konate told the club's official website.

'It's an unforgettable moment for me. Yes, without our fans – but I am very, very happy.

'Just a little bit sad – very sad – because we didn't win. But it's OK, I'm happy.

'I was very happy with the team on the pitch; good communication with everybody.

'Step by step we will be better, this is the first time in pre-season. We are waiting for the next game.'

Liverpool continue their pre-season preparations against Bundesliga side Mainz, Klopp's former club, in a full-length game on Friday night that will see up to 3,500 fans in attendance.

Konate, who will be competing for a place in the Liverpool defence alongside Virgil van Dijk next season, admitted he was looking forward to playing in front of a crowd again.

'Of course, this is the best,' the Frenchman added.

'[It has been] a very long time with the Covid situation, it was very bad for everybody in the world.

'And for the football players, very sad when you play without your fans.

'Now, I think it will be a new level with the fans because the fans were sad to not be here with us. And this will be very, very important to us.'

It was a pair of 1-1 draws for Klopp's men on Tuesday night after his first XI drew with Wacker Innsbruck.

Divock Origi gave the Reds the lead from the penalty spot but Ronivaldo’s header ensured the Austrians clinched a draw.