Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has revealed that Ibrahima Konaté was not originally scheduled to play against Newcastle United following the recent death of his father. The centre-back returned from compassionate leave after missing three matches and scored his first Premier League goal at Anfield in a 4-1 comeback win.
Konaté, who was in tears after scoring in front of the Kop, admitted he did not “have words to describe what I feel right now” after the poignant goal. Slot explained that Konaté had planned to return at the end of the week but offered to come back earlier to help the team amid a defensive crisis.
“He called me early this week and said: ‘I want to be back to help the team against Newcastle’,” Slot said. “He came back on Wednesday and trained twice with us. Today, not only he scored a goal, but he played a great game and the fans were really appreciative.” Slot added that the team showed they are always there for each other in difficult circumstances.
Slot also praised Hugo Ekitiké for scoring two goals that transformed the game, noting his speed and improved work-rate off the ball. The defeat leaves Newcastle 10th in the table, six points behind Liverpool in the fight for Champions League places. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe reflected: “We had done so much right but then we didn’t defend well enough.”
