Speaking to TNT Sports following Liverpool’s win over Newcastle United in the defender’s first match back after compassionate leave to grieve the loss of his father, goalscorer Ibrahima Konaté stressed
both his contentment with the performance and the need to build on it, and explained why he chose to return.
“For sure I’m very happy [with the goal and the win],” Konate told TNT Sports post-match.
“I don’t have words to describe what I feel right now because it was a very difficult moment for me and my family the last two weeks. But this is part of life. It’s very hard to accept but we didn’t have a choice to do it.
“I saw the team, we had some injured players. The manager said to me I can take my time, I don’t have to rush back. But with this situation I think it was important for me to come back and help the team.
“I think this is what I did today with the team, with Anfield. The atmosphere was unbelievable today.
“This is what we need until the end of the season.”
Konaté does not plan to get ahead of himself, as one win in the league — even such a dominant one — does not overwrite recent disappointments.
“I think we have to take it game after game,” he told TNT Sports.
“For me, most of the time we are the better team on the pitch but we always maybe concede many goals or didn’t score enough. But now we did very well.
“We just have to take the next game after next game, and I hope it will be fine.”
Liverpool face Manchester City next Sunday, hosting a Pep Guardiola side who want to challenge Arsenal for the title but who fell short once again this weekend, limping to a 2-2 draw against Tottenham after leading for 70 minutes.
