Ibrahima Konate was close to tears as Liverpool star lifts lid on crucial Arne Slot team talk
- mrwedwards
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
Ibrahima Konate admits he was close to crying when Liverpool clinched the Premier League as he revealed the Arne Slot teamtalk that set the Reds on the road to the title.
Liverpool sealed a record-equalling 20th championship with four games to spare by thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at an emotional Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
It was the second time in five years the Reds have been crowned the best team in England.
Konate did not sign for the club until 2021 but was part of the squad that missed out by a point in 2022 and fell away during the closing stages of last season.
After Liverpool supporters had finally departed Anfield, Konate was spotted sat alone in the Main Stand reflecting on his achievement at becoming the first French player to win the championship with the Reds.
Konate
"After the game I walked into the stadium and just sat in the stand to feel like a fan and I don't have words to describe what I felt.
“I said to my brother, 'I want to see how it is to sit in the stand if I watch a game', and I tried to act like a fan but the stadium was empty and I just wanted to enjoy the moment on my own.”
"We won it with 60,000 fans and us on the pitch. I just wanted to feel something different and I am very happy now.
"I was close to crying. It's crazy, unbelievable, and we have to really enjoy it now.
“Everyone in the dressing room was very happy, it was a great moment, but everyone was tired as well."
Konate believes there will be an even greater celebration when Liverpool get their hands of the Premier League trophy after the final game of the season at home to FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace on May 25.
“It was amazing," he said. "To be fair I don't realise yet but we have to enjoy it.
"I think the last day of the season will be more special as we will lift the trophy. But it's amazing after four seasons I did it, finally, and I'm very happy.
"The first thing is, we are in the best league in the world and we know how hard it is to win the Premier League every season.
"Since I was young I watched this league every week, every game, and now to win it is crazy. I'm the first French player from Liverpool to lift it. Unbelievable.
“I remember when we won the Carabao Cup last season at Wembley, it was amazing but this one was more special because it's the Premier League."
Few had expected Liverpool to be genuine title contenders following the departure of long-time manager Jurgen Klopp last summer.
However, under new boss Arne Slot the Reds have dominated the Premier League this season as top scorers and the second-best defence behind second-placed Arsenal.
Konate has detailed a conversation the Reds boss had with his players before the beginning of the campaign that mapped out his vision.
“I think he brings something new, like the style of playing,"
"Just before we started the season he showed us why we didn't win the league the year before, some details, and he said if we change that and improve on that we have a big chance to win the league.
“And that's what we've done since the start of the season.
"We have to be happy. I saw him on the pitch and he didn't really want to take the praise, he walked behind us and it's crazy to be humble like that.
“Okay, we are on the pitch and we run and do everything but he has done a lot as well for us. Thanks to him, thanks to the fans.
"Can we repeat the feat? The first thing is to enjoy (this one) because when we start next season it's finished.
“We don't have to forget because this in our locker but we have to focus on next season and give everything to win it again. Why not?"
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