Image Credits: Imago Images
It was an emotional moment for the defender last night.
Liverpool stormed to an impressive 4-1 victory over Newcastle United last night.
After initially falling behind, a brilliant team performance followed, as Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate all got on the scoresheet.
A brilliant evening, topped off with a moment that many felt happened for a reason.
Just last week, Ibrahima Konate sat out Liverpool’s trip to France to face Marseille in the Champions League.
His absence was initially put down as a ‘private matter’ and the following day it was revealed that the defender’s father had passed away.
Arne Slot was therefore happy to give Konate any time off that he needed and re-introduce him when he felt ready to return.
However, the Frenchman had other plans, as Arne Slot revealed:
“When he saw all the problems we had defensively he called me early this week to say, ‘I want to be back to help the team against Newcastle,’ and he came back Wednesday, trained twice with us and today not only scored a goal, but I think he played a great game and the fans were really appreciative throughout the whole game.”
A great sign of strength shown from Ibrahima Konate, as he put his personal struggles behind him and prioritised playing for his club.
The strength required to do that should not be underestimated and to put in arguably his best performance of the season last night too is commendable.
Arne Slot then went on to reveal the dressing room reaction to Konate’s goal after the game, after the defender was seen to be visibly moved by the occasion.
“He and I think Florian had an interview after the game so then we are all waiting, waiting, waiting for the last two to come in.”
“And then when he came in, of course, everybody was cheering for the both of them but definitely also for Ibou because it’s very nice for him to score a goal when he has had such a difficult time.”
“I think this team has shown that we are always there for each other in difficult circumstances and that’s what they were for him in the last few days.”
“That’s why I think they were so happy for him that that he was able to score, which was told to me, I’m not sure if I am lying, that it is his first goal at Anfield since he is here.”
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