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Ryan Gravenberch is hoping that some insider intelligence from Ibrahima Konate might assist Liverpool in stopping Kylian Mbappe's extraordinary goalscoring streak.
The Reds welcome Real Madrid for their fourth Champions League game of the season on Tuesday, in a repeat of last year's meeting in the tournament, which Liverpool won 2-0.
Mbappe squandered a spot-kick on that occasion and, despite having found the net nine times in his opening 18 outings since his summer switch from Paris Saint-Germain, doubts lingered in Spain regarding his compatibility with Madrid. The France striker has since answered his critics with a phenomenal tally of 53 strikes in 55 matches for Madrid, with Gravenberch acknowledging he will be among the threats Liverpool must neutralize.
Yet Liverpool has a secret weapon in Konate.
"Ibou knows him very well, so you have to speak to Ibou about this maybe!" remarked the midfielder when questioned about the optimal approach to contain Konate's international teammate.
"We know he is a top, top player, with really good quality. He can play in behind, he can come in the box, he is a good finisher. It will not be easy for us, but we will try to stop him and do everything.
"Real are doing really great this season, the whole team, but in particular, if you see Mbappe or Vinicius on the left and when they go in behind, it is a strength from them.
"We need to be spot on tomorrow."
Gravenberch made his return to Liverpool's starting XI at the weekend following a three-match absence due to a twisted ankle, netting his third goal of the campaign in the 2-0 Premier League victory against Aston Villa.
The Netherlands midfielder failed to find the back of the net even once during the previous season, and regarding his improved goalscoring form, he revealed: "I think I listened to my dad more this season!
"He always say, 'You have to shoot more, shoot more, shoot more, and we see what happens.'
"When I shot against Villa, it got deflected and went in. I have to shoot more.
"Of course, he watches every game.
"Obviously, I have always conversations with him about where I can do better, so I listen to him a lot."
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