Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate was in tears after scoring late on against Newcastle United following his return to the team after the death of his father
Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate was in tears after scoring for Liverpool
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Ibrahima Konate was seen in tears after scoring Liverpool's final goal in their 4–1 win over Newcastle United. The French centre‑back had lost his father Hamady, last week and returned to the Reds' matchday squad tonight.
Konate returned to Liverpool's starting XI after missing the games against Marseille, Bournemouth and Qarabag. He sealed the Reds' victory by capitalising on Nick Pope's failure to hold the ball.
He was visibly in tears after scoring, embraced immediately by his teammates. Speaking at full-time, Konate said: "For sure I am very happy and I don't have words to describe what I fee right now because it was a very difficult moment for me and my family in the last two weeks but this part of life.
"I'm very happy. I don't have words to describe what I feel right now. It's been a difficult moment for me and my family in the last two weeks. I saw the team we had, I saw some injured players. The manager said I could take my time, I didn't need to rush to come back.
"But I thought I should come back and help the team. Anfield was unbelievable today and that's what we need until the end of the season."
Konate was the notable absence in Liverpool's Champions League clash with Marseille on last week. Arne Slot spoke of his 'sadness' over the reason behind Konate's absence from the 3-0 win against the Ligue 1 side, and the defender then announced that his father had passed away.
Slot said: "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."
The 26‑year‑old also missed last Saturday's 3-2 to Bournemouth and the 6-0 win over Qarabag on Wednesday to stay with his family.
Konate then posted the heartbreaking news and details last Thursday in a post to his Instagram story. He wrote: "Thank you all so much for your messages, calls, thoughts and presence today at the mosque.
"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."
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