Ibrahima Konate was the hero at Anfield on Saturday night. The French defender has been on compassionate leave for two weeks after losing his father, but returned early because of the club’s injury crisis.
The fans cheered his name every time he was on the ball throughout the Newcastle game and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when he scored the final goal of the game in the 4-1 win.
“He had a very difficult two weeks and probably still has a difficult time but we spoke at the end of last week when he said, ‘I’m planning to be back in the end of this week.’” said Arne Slot after the match.
“So that would have meant that he did not, could not, have played this game. But when he saw all the problems we had defensively he called me early this week to say, ‘I want to be back to help the team against Newcastle,’
“He came back Wednesday, trained twice with us and today not only he scored a goal, but I think he played a great game and the fans were really appreciative throughout the whole game.
“But then definitely at the end when he scored and his teammates were just as appreciative when he came in the dressing room after the final whistle.”
