Didier Deschamps has explained why Ibrahima Konate has been left out of his France squad despite his stellar season for Liverpool.
Konate, 22, has been hugely impressive at centre-back since joining the Reds from RB Leipzig in a £36million transfer last summer. The Paris native played 90 minutes in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final and semi-final, against Benfica and Villarreal respectively, to help Liverpool reach the Stade de France showpiece.
He has also made 23 domestic appearances in his debut season in England, picking up EFL Cup and FA Cup winners' medals on the way. However, Konate has not done enough to convince Deschamps he deserves a maiden call-up to the senior France squad and the chance to earn his first cap for his country.