InterviewIbrahima Konate on Klopp incentive, Chelsea challenge, Robbo return and more

Klopp announced last week that he will be stepping down as Reds boss at the end of this campaign, bringing a close to a glittering eight-and-a-half-year spell on Merseyside.

His squad immediately responded by delivering a 5-2 victory over Norwich City in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, and now have their sights trained on a home Premier League clash with Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com ahead of that game, Konate reflected on the events of the past few days and underlined the desire to give the manager a fitting send-off in the months ahead.

The France international said: “Of course it was very emotional, because nobody expected this from the manager. The world did not expect this!

“Everybody was surprised, but this is football, and football is crazy. I don’t have the words, I don’t know how to explain this feeling, but for sure it was very important for us to show to the manager that we are with him for the rest of this season. We want to win everything for him, and for us, and for the fans.”

Asked if it would add an extra incentive to the players, Konate affirmed: “Yes, exactly. When he said that [he was leaving], in my mind I was like, ‘In the last four months, I have to give my life for him now.’

“It’s a big thing for the club and the fans, but like the manager said, for the next game against Chelsea we cannot think about this, and if the fans can help us to make sure that Chelsea know that they are away at Anfield, this will be great for us.”

Liverpool head in to Wednesday’s game knowing a win will keep them at least five points clear at the top of the table, but victories against the Londoners have been hard to come by in recent seasons.

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Indeed, since Konate joined the Reds in the summer of 2021, the sides have played out five successive league draws, while both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals of 2022 ended in penalty shootouts too.

“That is crazy!” said Konate. “When we qualified for the final of the Carabao Cup [earlier this month], I said, ‘Chelsea again?!’ We had so many draws against them, and I hope that this will be the day that we will get the win.”

He continued: “It’s special because I have so many friends at Chelsea, friends from the national team.

“So it’s two challenges; because to play against Chelsea is to play against a big team, and to play against friends, we know if we don’t get a good result they will start to talk about this in the national team and I don’t want this situation!”

Liverpool’s squad has been boosted in recent days by the return to action of key players, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson all featuring as substitutes against Norwich. Alexis Mac Allister has also been declared fit to face Chelsea.

Robertson, in particular, was given a great reception on Sunday as he took to the field for the first time since October, and Konate believes his return can provide a big lift to both the team and the supporters.

“The fans love Robbo and Robbo loves the fans,” he said. “It was a very nice reception and I was so happy for him. This gives him a good boost to come back at his best level.

“It’s early because he just came back from a long injury, but he’s with the team again and when he came back he did very well. I just hope for the best for him because he helps us a lot.”

Konate also spoke glowingly about the performances of Jarell Quansah, who turned 21 on Monday, and Conor Bradley, who has deputised admirably in the absence of Alexander-Arnold in recent weeks.

On Quansah, he said: “He’s very confident, and I think this is the magic as well of Jürgen and how he introduced him to the squad.

“He came with the squad for a big game, I remember he came on at Newcastle [in August] in a situation that was not easy, but he did well and this gave him big confidence.

“He’s very good on the ball as well, and I’m very happy to have him in our squad. It’s a big thing for him, I cannot imagine, and I know he wants to work and to be better, and I just hope for the best for him.

“I remember when I was in Leipzig when I started to play, I was 18. It was not easy, but with the team, with confidence, I started to grow up, and today I’m here!”

On Bradley, who picked up the Player of the Match award against Norwich last weekend having delivered two assists from right-back, he added: “He’s crazy! I don’t know if he plays like that [so attack-minded] because he knows I’m behind him!

“I love Conor, he had a big injury and I know that was not easy for him, but he came back and he got some minutes and now he has had the opportunity with the injury of Trent to take some more.

“He did great, he did so well and I was happy for him. This is another player for our squad.”