Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté has expressed his unwavering commitment to the club, revealing his willingness to play through pain to help the team compete for the Premier League title.
The 25-year-old French international missed over a month of action after sustaining a knee injury during Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in November.
He made his return earlier this month in a 2-2 draw against Manchester United.
Playing Through Pain for Liverpool
In a press conference, Konaté shared his determination to return despite not being fully recovered.
“I tried to come back 100%, but I’m not because I rushed my comeback with my knee.”
“I’ve done this for my team. I can die for this team; it’s fine. My knee will recover 100% soon. I still have pain, but I play with painkillers, and that’s enough for me to help the team.”
Konaté also detailed how Liverpool’s defensive injuries influenced his decision to return early.
“When I saw Joe [Gomez] with his injury, I thought, ‘Okay, I have to come back quicker.’
The first game, I felt my knee a little bit, but it’s improving day by day thanks to the physios and medical staff.”
Leading Liverpool’s Defense
Konaté has been a standout performer under manager Arne Slot, playing a pivotal role in helping Liverpool secure a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
When asked if he and Virgil van Dijk are the best centre-back pairing in Europe, Konaté confidently said,
“This season, yes. Everybody knows Virgil’s quality. For me, he’s the best. I want to be better than him one day, but I need to work hard to reach that level.”
Growth and Leadership
Joining Liverpool at 21, Konaté highlighted his personal and professional development at the club.
“I think I’ve grown in every way as a human and a player. The club helped me enough to be the captain of the French squad [against Italy in November].
It was a proud moment for me, but I need to keep working hard.”
Future at Anfield
Although Konaté’s current contract runs until 2026, he revealed Liverpool have offered him a new deal. However, he remains focused on the present.
“I’m really focused on what’s happening now, and then we’ll see what happens. This is another conversation,” he stated, refusing to confirm if he would stay at Anfield beyond next summer.
Konaté’s resilience and commitment underscore his importance to Liverpool’s title charge this season, making him a key figure for the club’s future ambitions.
