Liverpool has begun the 2024-2025 season with two wins and two cleansheets in a row following their 2-0 victory against Ipswich on the opening day and then beating Brentford by the same scoreline today at Anfield, a feat defender Ibrahima Konate is pleased with.
Luis Diaz put the Reds ahead after 13 minutes before assisting Mohamed Salah halfway through the second half and collecting the man of the match award in the end.
Sharing his thoughts and reaction on the victory to Liverpoolfc.com, Konate said “I’m very happy for today because we won 2-0 and we didn’t concede – this is most important for the team. Now we have to be ready for the next big game, which is coming very quick.
“But I think we controlled this game because we worked so hard. People think this game was easy but it was not easy, it was hard because we ran a lot. We work hard together and this [cleansheet] was very good for everyone.
“We are not very 100 per cent because it’s a new manager, we start new things – but I think this will come very quick and I’m so excited to be 100 per cent with what the manager wants. We have to work every day for that.”
Ibrahima Konate was reinstated into the starting lineup against Brentford as the only change for Arne Slot’s side. The defender repaid his new boss’s faith by continuing from where he left off at Ipswich, winning all aerrial duels as well as interceptions.
“I’m happy and I have to show what I like to do because I think a lot of people forgot what I did last season and in the games before,” the No.5 said.
“Now I have to show that I am ready this season to be the best and I hope to be one of the best defenders in the world this season.”
Ibrahima Konate ended by paying tribute to his teammate Mohamed Salah who scored Liverpool’s second on the day. The Egyptian scored his second goal of the season and now has 128 goal contributions in 128 matches at Anfield. The 31-year-old has 93 goals and 35 assists in his Premier League appearances at home.
“This guy is crazy! I’m a very big fan of Mo,” Konate concluded. “It’s crazy, every season it’s always the same story. Even when he goes to the Africa Cup [of Nations] he has a lot of goals. I don’t understand how he does that really.
“He’s a big inspiration for me because I saw it every day how he works and I want to be like him.”
Read next: Alexis MacAllister: “We’re in transition, and we will be patient”
Virgil van Dijk remains “very calm” on contract situation at Liverpool