Ex-Leipzig Konaté: Liverpool FC “best decision” – Klopp convinced in the father-son question

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.”

Konaté, Mustafi & Co.: Most expensive central defenders in football history

20. Ibrahima Konate | 2021 for €40m from Leipzig to Liverpool

&copy imago images

status of the data. February 28, 2022

20. Raphael Varane | Real to Man Utd for €40m in 2021

&copy imago images

19. Shkodran Mustafi | From Valencia to Arsenal in 2016 for €41m

&copy imago images

16. Thiago Silva | 2012 for €42m from Milan to PSG

&copy imago images

16. Davinson Sanchez | 2017 for €42m from Ajax to Tottenham

&copy TM/imago images

16.Leonardo Bonucci | 2017 for €41m from Juventus to Milan

&copy imago images

15. Dayot Upamecano | 2021 for €42.5 million from RB to FC Bayern

&copy imago images

14. Nicolas Otamendi | 2015 for €44.5m from Valencia to Man City

&copy imago images

13. Eliaquim Mangala | 2014 for €45m from Porto to Man City

&copy Getty Images

12. Nathan Aké | 2020 for €45.3m from Bournemouth to Man City

&copy imago images

11.Rio Ferdinand | Leeds to Man United for €46m in 2002

&copy imago images

10.David Luiz | From Chelsea to PSG in 2014 for €49.5m

&copy TM/imago images

9. Eder Militao | €50m transfer from Porto to Real Madrid in 2019

&copy imago images

8. John Stones | From Everton to Man City in 2016 for €55.6m

&copy imago images

7. Ben White | From Brighton & Hove to Arsenal in 2021 for €58.5m

&copy imago images

6. Aymeric Laporte | 2018 for €65m from Bilbao to Man City

&copy imago images

5. Ruben Dias | 2020 for €68m from Benfica to Man City

&copy imago images

4. Lucas Hernandez | 2019 for €80 million from Atlético to FC Bayern

&copy imago images

3. Virgil van Dijk | 2018 for €84.65m from Southampton to Liverpool

&copy imago images

2. Matthijs de Ligt | 2019 for €85.5m from Ajax to Juventus

&copy imago images

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.”

Konaté on Liverpool decision: What Papa Klopp would have advised

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.”

12x 40 million euros or more: Liverpool FC’s most expensive additions

16 Georginio Wijnaldum | 16/17 for €27.5m from Newcastle United

&copy imago images

As of: After the 2022 winter transfer window

15 Adam Lallana | 14/15 for €31m from Southampton FC

&copy Getty Images

14 Alex Oxlade Chamberlain | 17/18 for €38m from Arsenal

&copy imago images

14 Fernando Torres | 07/08 for €38m from Atlético Madrid

&copy imago images

12 Ibrahima Konate | 21/22 for €40m from RB Leipzig

&copy imago images

11 Andy Carroll | 10/11 for €41m from Newcastle United

&copy imago images

11 Roberto Firmino | 15/16 for €41m from 1899 Hoffenheim

&copy imago images

9 Sadio Mané | 16/17 for €41.2m from Southampton FC

&copy imago images

8 Mohamed Salah | 17/18 for €42m from AS Roma

&copy imago images

7 Diogo Iota | 20/21 for €44.7m from Wolverhampton

&copy imago images

6 Luis Díaz I 21/22 for €45m from FC Porto

&copy imago images

6 Fabino | 18/19 for €45m from AS Monaco

&copy imago images

4 Christian Benteke | 15/16 for €46.5m from Aston Villa

&copy imago images

3 Naby Keïta | 18/19 for €60m from RB Leipzig

&copy imago images

2 Alison | 18/19 for €62.5m from AS Roma

&copy imago images

1 Virgil van Dijk | 17/18 for €84.7m from Southampton FC

&copy imago images

To home page

ttn-38