Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support following the passing of his father after missing the Champions League win against Marseille
Stephen Killen Senior Sport Central Audience Writer
13:32, 24 Jan 2026
Ibrahima Konate confirmed news of his father's tragic passing on Thursday
Ibrahima Konate confirmed news of his father's tragic passing on Thursday(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has expressed his gratitude to fans after being inundated with messages of support following the death of his father, Hamady.
The France international was absent from the Reds' 3-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League midweek, having been left out of the squad due to personal reasons. Liverpool moved significantly closer to securing a place in the Round of 16 courtesy of strikes from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo, as well as an own-goal.
Joe Gomez stepped in for Konate and is likely to retain his place at the center of Liverpool's defence for Saturday's clash with Bournemouth.
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Arne Slot spoke of the "sadness" surrounding Konate's absence ahead of the victory over the French outfit, and the next day, Konate confirmed his father had passed away.
On Friday, he posted a message thanking people for their overwhelming support.
He wrote: "Thank you all so much for your messages, calls, thoughts and presence today at the mosque.
Ibrahima Konate's message on Instagram after his father's passing
Ibrahima Konate's message on Instagram after his father's passing(Image: Ibrahima Konate/Instagram)
"Even though I haven't had the strength or time to reply to everyone, this really touched me and did a lot of good.
"Thank you for your support and prayers. May Allah keep you safe. To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return."
Konate shared the heartbreaking news on Thursday via his Instagram story. He said: "Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.
"Janazah (Funeral Prayer) For our father Hamady Konate will take place on Friday, 23 January, after Jumu'ah prayer at In Sha Allah (12:45 pm).
"The Messenger of Allah said, 'There is no deceased person over whom a group of Muslims numbering one hundred prays, all of them interceding for him, except that their intercession is accepted.'"
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Given the limited defensive alternatives, it's probable that Liverpool will maintain the same back four that clinched the Champions League victory against Marseille.
Slot stated: "I spoke to him a few times, and I think these are private matters and they should stay between us.
"It is very obvious that if something like that happens, a player needs time to be there for his family and also time for himself."