The French defender Ibrahima Konate is now back in action for Liverpool, although he is not yet at 100 percent. Konate is also considering a new contract. Konate revealed that he gave cookies to Liverpool’s medical team in appreciation for their efforts to get him back to full fitness as quickly as possible. Liverpool’s penultimate Champions League group stage match is against Lille.
Yesterday, when the topic of contract negotiations was brought up, the Reds defender could not provide a clear answer about the degree to which he is close to signing a new agreement. During the Champions League match that will take place tonight against Lille, Konate, who is 25 years old, did acknowledge that he has been given a new contract by the club. However, when questioned if he was close to signing, he did not comment on the situation.
He is the most recent Liverpool star to consider accepting a contract that the club has made available to him. At the beginning of this season, the France defender was presented with an offer of a new contract; however, he has not yet signed it, despite the fact that he has 18 months left on his existing agreement. Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk have all communicated with the club about the possibility of signing new contracts; however, their current contracts are scheduled to expire in the summer.
In response to the topic of whether or not he is close to signing a contract, Konate responded with “yeah” when asked whether he has been given a deal. However, he added, “that is another conversation.” In a previous statement, he stated, “I believe that I am really focused on what happens now.” We shall wait and see what the future holds.
After recovering from a knee injury more quickly than was anticipated, Konate was able to return to full health earlier this month in order to start against Manchester United. After Joe Gomez suffered a hamstring injury at the end of December, leaving the Reds short of center-backs, the France centre confessed that he is playing despite the pain in order to guarantee that he is able to assist his teammates.
Additionally, Konate presented a unique gift to the club’s medical staff in recognition of their assistance in facilitating his speedy recovery following the injury he sustained during the 2-0 victory against Real Madrid in November.
According to what he had to say, “The plan was for me to train on this week [before the United game], but when I saw Joe with this injury, I thought, ‘OK, I have to come back really quick,’ and I don’t really think about my knee.”
For sure, I felt it a little bit during the first game, but the pain grew better day after day, and now it’s fine, and it’s enough for me to play without any discomfort. With regard to me, the physiotherapists and the medical personnel have done an excellent job. I don’t know how long I spent at the club every day when I was wounded, but I was really delighted and I rewarded them with some cookies. I spent every day at the club when I was under the influence of the injury.
Over the course of this season, they have done an excellent job with me. When it comes to me, they never take any chances; it was me who was always prepared. I play with some discomfort, but it is comfortable enough for me to play.
By virtue of the Reds’ victory over Brentford on Saturday, Konate and Virgil van Dijk were able to maintain their sixth clean sheet as a combination in the Premier League this season. As a result, they advanced six points further ahead of the competition. The Reds have also maintained a streak of five consecutive clean sheets in Europe, and if they earn a point tonight against the Ligue 1 team that is currently in the best form, they will be certain to advance to the round of sixteen of the Champions League.
“This season, yeah, I think so,” Konate said in response to a question about whether or not his connection with Van Dijk is the strongest combination in Europe.
“Everyone is familiar with Virgil, and everyone is aware of his qualities. In my opinion, he is the finest, and there is no one who is superior to him in this position.
“I never said it to him, but in interviews I’ve always said that I just want to be better than him one day, and that is why I work so hard to get to this level one day. I say this because I want to be better than him.” I believe he would be pleased with me.
