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Arne Slot revealed Ibrahima Konaté was not due to face Newcastle after the recent death of his father. The centre-back was rewarded for responding to Liverpool’s defensive crisis with his first Premier League goal at Anfield.
Konaté returned from compassionate leave after three matches out to cap Liverpool’s convincing 4-1 comeback win against Eddie Howe’s team. The France international was in tears after scoring in front of the Kop and admitted he did not “have words to describe what I feel right now” after the poignant goal.
The Liverpool head coach revealed: “He has had a very difficult two weeks. He was planning to be back for the end of this week and it would have meant he could not play this game, but when he saw the problems we had defensively, he called me early this week and said: ‘I want to be back to help the team against Newcastle’.
“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 throughout the whole game, but definitely at the end when he scored. His teammates were just as appreciative when he came in the dressing room after the final whistle.
“Everyone was cheering for Ibou and Florian [Wirtz] when they came in after doing TV interviews, but especially for Ibou,” Slot added. “This team has shown we are always there for each other in difficult circumstances – that’s what they were for him in the last few days.”
Slot also praised Hugo Ekitiké for two goals that transformed the game, against the club who tried to sign him last summer before he opted for Anfield. “From the start, everyone could see how special he is and fast he is,” added Slot. “We have seen this with the second goal he scored. He took a one-versus-one and beat them on the outside, this is very difficult. I would love to mention his biggest improvement is his work-rate off the ball.”
Defeat leaves Newcastle 10th in the table, six points behind Liverpool in the fight for Champions League places. Howe reflected: “We had done so much right in the game but then we didn’t defend well enough.
“We have to defend better. If you look at the four goals we conceded, how we conceded four is a bit of a mystery, but we didn’t defend well enough.”
