Liverpool players are fully behind Arne Slot (Image: Getty)
Ibrahima Konate has proved that Liverpool’s players are fully behind by admitting he would ‘die’ for the Reds. the Frenchman has been forced to play through the pain barrier after returning prematurely from a knee injury.
Konate was desperate to return ahead of schedule with ’s defenders struggling with injuries. The 25-year-old suffered his knee problem in the 2-0 win over Real Madrid in November but wanted to help out after learning that team-mate Joe Gomez had suffered a hamstring injury in December.
The players’ belief in former boss spurred them on to win the , Champions League and a host of other titles during the German’s nine-year reign. And it appears that Slot has quickly won over the dressing room after an excellent start to life at Anfield.
“I try to come back really 100 per cent but I am not because I rushed my comeback with my knee, but I’ve done this for my team. I can die for this team, then it’s fine,” Konate said.
“My knee will come back really 100 per cent very soon, it’s fine. I still have pain sometimes, but I play with painkillers and it’s enough for me to play.
“I don’t have to think about [worrying about the injury]. I just have to think about playing and this will go away soon.
“I was very close to coming back anyway. The plan was to train on this week but when I saw Joe with his injury, I was like, ‘Okay, I have to come back really quick and don’t really think about my knee’.
“For sure, my first game I feel it a little bit but the pain will get better day after day. It’s fine, it’s enough to play and to have a great game as well.”
Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate has revealed he returned from injury prematurely (Image: Getty)
remain six points clear at the top of the and have a game in hand over second-placed . Darwin Nunez struck twice in added time to seal a 2-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday, further reinforcing the commitment of ’s players.
Slot said afterwards: “During the season you’re hoping for these moments. Many moments – we could have scored a late winner against United, Forest, Fulham. Today it worked. We managed to score in the last few seconds.
“We were close to not getting what we deserved. The amount of chances we created was like on Tuesday against Forest – a lot. We were close to going off without a win. That combined with a late winner is what we were most happy about. And it was a significant game.”