Liverpool and France centre-back Ibrahima Konaté (26) has opened up on Arne Slot’s title-winning debut campaign on Merseyside to **[The Athletic](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6402637/2025/06/05/ibrahima-konate-interview-liverpool-france/?source=user_shared_article).** The 26-year-old defender is [set to feature alongside Clément Lenglet tonight with _Les Bleus_ against Spain](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2025/france-predicted-xi-v-spain-ousmane-dembele-and-desire-doue-set-to-start/) in the UEFA Nations League semi-final. On Sunday, Konaté could play his last game of a gruelling campaign, whether that would be the Nations League final or the 3rd place play-off. The former RB Leipzig notably started the season on the bench as Liverpool travelled to Ipswich Town. A shaky first half from Jarell Quansah made Slot turn to Konaté, and from then on, the France centre-back would be an undisputed starter alongside club captain Virgil Van Dijk.
“_The objective in my head was clear: I wanted to win everything this season and leave no stone unturned_“, Konaté said. “_Give nobody a chance, whether that’s the rivals for my position or my opponents. And that’s pretty much what happened._” Apart from an injury picked up in the closing seconds of Liverpool’s dominant display against Real Madrid in the Champions League, Konaté remained fit and had a rather full season, which culminated with the Reds winning a record-equalling 20th Premier League title, but the Sochaux Academy product wanted Liverpool to go further in the Champions League.
“_We can be sad about that, but it came during a period when we weren’t at our best and a lot of fatigue had built up. In the end, we’re happy to have ended up with the Premier League_.” Liverpool head coach Arne Slot became the first Dutch national to lead a Premier League team to the title, and the former Feyenoord boss’ tactics have not gone unnoticed. “_He has a playing philosophy that’s a bit different_ (to Jürgen Klopp’s) _— he’s more focused on build-up play and holding onto the ball a bit more. But he didn’t ask me to change anything specifically.”_
GFFN | Bastien Cheval