Ibrahima Konate of France experienced the highs of competing for four major trophies during his debut season at Liverpool, but his second season has been far more difficult and challenging
Ibrahima Konate admits Liverpool need to freshen up their squad with new additions this summer if they’re to be Premier League title challengers again.
The Reds won two trophies in 2021-22, the League Cup and the FA Cup, while finishing second in the Premier League to Manchester City on the final day. They also reached their third Champions League final in five years, but were defeated 1-0 in Paris by Real Madrid.
But this season has proven far more difficult for Jurgen Klopp’s men, with their European exit at the hands of Madrid last week ending their hopes of silverware, having already lost out in both domestic cups. Furthermore, a Premier League season marred by inconsistency – typified by their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth just a week after beating Manchester United 7-0 – and injury issues has left them scrambling for fourth place, with the Reds currently seven points behind Spurs.
Konate, a France international, has had his fair share of injury issues. The Paris-born centre-back has appeared in only eight Premier League matches thus far, and only 14 games in all competitions.
Players lacking form and fitness have been a problem throughout the squad, especially after a 60-game season. The 23-year-old told Eurosport: “This season is more complicated for all of us, for the whole club.
“No one is better placed than the coach to discuss why; we had the misfortune of having a lot of injuries, including myself at the start of the season.””
To avoid a repeat in the future, Konate believes a stronger squad is needed, stating, “We were possibly short on players. The workload was intense and it became complicated, but the season is not over.”
The former RB Leipzig man has no thoughts in his mind that Anfield isn’t the best place for his future however.
And he made it clear that his sole goal is to bring more trophies to Merseyside.
“The honest question when you play for Liverpool is ‘Where can I go next?'” he added.
“You have to perform to last in such a club; my goal is to be a key player in the short and long term, as well as to win all the trophies at my disposal.”
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