Liverpool manager Arne Slot shared that defender Ibrahima Konaté was not scheduled to play against Newcastle United following the recent passing of his father. Despite this, the center-back stepped up amid the team’s defensive challenges, marking his return with his first Premier League goal at Anfield during a 4-1 comeback victory over Eddie Howe’s side.
Konaté’s Compassionate Leave and Heroic Response
Konaté had taken compassionate leave and missed three matches. He cut his time away short to support Liverpool’s backline, training twice before the game and delivering a standout performance. The France international, visibly emotional, shed tears after netting in front of the Kop end. He later expressed, “I have no words to describe what I feel right now,” capturing the moment’s poignancy.
Slot highlighted Konaté’s dedication, noting, “He has had a very difficult two weeks. He was planning to return by the end of this week, which would have ruled him out of this match, but when he learned of our defensive issues, he contacted me early in the week and said: ‘I want to come back to help the team against Newcastle.’”
The manager praised Konaté’s overall contribution: “Today, he not only scored but played exceptionally well. The fans showed their appreciation throughout, especially after his goal. His teammates echoed that sentiment in the dressing room post-match.” Slot added that the squad rallied around Konaté, stating, “This team demonstrates unwavering support for one another in tough times—that’s exactly what they provided him over the past few days.”
Ekitike’s Double Seals the Victory
Hugo Ekitike, who turned down Newcastle’s interest last summer to join Liverpool, proved decisive with two goals that shifted the momentum. Slot commended the forward’s qualities: “From the outset, his speed and talent were evident, particularly in his second goal where he outmaneuvered a defender one-on-one from the outside—a challenging feat.” He emphasized Ekitike’s growth: “His most notable progress lies in his off-ball work rate.”
Newcastle’s Defensive Woes
The loss drops Newcastle to 10th in the Premier League standings, trailing Liverpool by six points in the race for Champions League qualification. Manager Eddie Howe acknowledged the shortcomings: “We executed much of our plan effectively but failed to defend adequately.” He admitted, “We must improve our defense. Conceding four goals remains a puzzle, but we simply did not perform well enough in that area.”
