Ex-Leipzig “saw sincerity”
“My goal thought is that there is no reason why I can’t become one of the best players in the world,” says Ibrahima Konaté. A noble intention of the Frenchman, who since leaving RB Leipzig, although still only 22 years old, has not necessarily had a regular place at Liverpool within reach. In an interview with the newspaper “TheTimes‘ said the junior international about his situation with the Reds and how Jürgen Klopp steered him to England.
Klopp has only used the former protégé of fellow coach Ralf Rangnick on a meager 16 occasions this season. When Konaté expressed his optimism about the future to the newspaper, the EFL Cup final against Chelsea (11:10 for Liverpool n.E.) was still pending and with it the ultimately unfulfilled hope of a starting eleven in the final. The native of Paris was only allowed to play for the extension. He previously said: “As a footballer, the decisions you make regarding your career are the most important ones. I made the best decision and I’m very happy.”
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Meanwhile, Klopp is like a father to him. Konaté said: “Of course money is important, but in life it’s not the most important thing. Maybe you go to a club with a lot of money, but you don’t have a good relationship with the coach. So what? You don’t have to talk to the coach every day either, but Klopp, he could be my father. I know if I have a problem in life, he will help.”
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Konaté also tested Klopp’s qualities as a father figure before moving to Liverpool. In a video call with the German trainer, he said: “Mr. Klopp, I have a question. If I were your son and your son in my situation, what advice would you give him? Klopp said: ‘Ok, this club is good and this club is good but for sure I would advise him to go to Liverpool.’ As he said this, I looked at nothing but his eyes. To see that he meant business. And I saw sincerity on his face.”
On the other hand, according to reports, Chelsea and Real Madrid were also interested in paying Konaté’s exit clause in the Leipzig contract (40 million euros), as was Manchester United, where the player would have met his old mentor Rangnick again. Rangnick, as sports director, brought Konaté from Sochaux to Leipzig on a free transfer in 2017 and made him, as a coach, a regular. Accordingly, the professional is also diplomatic in relation to his old trainer. Konaté wanted the best for Liverpool, so what happened to interim coach Rangnick at Man United was “not my problem,” said the ex-protégé. He clarified, “I’m not saying I don’t care, but it’s not my problem.”
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