NewsIbrahima Konate interview: 'Crazy' Anfield atmosphere, injury recovery and targeting Villa victory
Ibrahima Konate wants another special Anfield atmosphere when Liverpool host Aston Villa on Saturday night.
Back-to-back home wins over Brighton & Hove Albion and Bayer Leverkusen have been secured through a combination of irresistible second-half performances on the pitch and fervent support from the stands.
Those results lifted the Reds to the summit of both the Premier League and Champions League tables and Arne Slot’s team sign off for the November international break with another Anfield date this weekend, when Unai Emery’s Villa visit L4.
And, speaking after the victory over Leverkusen, Konate told Liverpoolfc.com: “The atmosphere was crazy today and I hope the fans will keep going like that until the end of the season.
“It’s just the start. We just have to keep going and keep working, nothing is done now. We have so many games until the end of the season. I hope everyone will stay fit and healthy. It’s the last game before the international break and we just hope for three points.
“Honestly, we need Anfield. Everyone, when they play against Liverpool – it’s one of the best clubs in the world – [so] especially when they come here, they just want to win because if you win against Liverpool, it’s a big story for them.
“When they come here, they have more energy and they’re playing with two thousand per cent and we need the fans. If the fans are with us, it’s just unbelievable how we can play.”
Konate recovered in time from the injury he sustained against Brighton to retain his place at the heart of Liverpool’s defence versus Leverkusen.
The France international said: “I had a very good strap. The doctor and the physio helped me to recover very well with my hand but now I am fine. I have to play with a strap but I’m OK.”
Tuesday’s ultimately convincing triumph over the Bundesliga champions was earned despite the fact the game was goalless at the break.
Indeed, the second half was a completely different story as Luis Diaz plundered a hat-trick and Cody Gakpo continued his fine run of goalscoring form.
“I’m very happy and very proud of the team because it was a very good game against a very good team in Leverkusen,” Konate noted.
“We know how good they are but today was a night for us; a night at Anfield and the fans were unbelievable. I don’t have the words to describe this… we just have to keep going and keep working because the first half was not perfect. But we are here to work and to be better day after day.”
Inevitably, Diaz grabbed the headlines on an evening he started as the Reds’ central striker and Konate added: “Hat-trick! Crazy! It’s very good for us and very good for the team.
“I just wish the best for all the strikers. They have had a very good start this season and I just hope they score again and assist again. I just want to be happy for them.”
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