Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has lifted the lid on the influence Arne Slot has had, recalling a pre-season incident where the boss stamped his authority on the team. Slot, who took the reins following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, has positioned the Reds as favorites for the Premier League crown in his maiden campaign.
Liverpool sits comfortably atop the league with an 11-point advantage, even holding a game in hand over second-placed Arsenal after its stalemate against Everton. A mere 11 points from the remaining eight games would secure the title for Slot’s charges.
Konate is full of praise for the Dutchman’s immediate impact. He vividly described how Slot called out a player during pre-season training for inadequate effort—a clear signal of his managerial ethos.
“What he has done since the start of the season, it’s unbelievable, especially after Jurgen,” the French defender expressed. “He came with a lot of personality. You know, like if you don’t give 2000%..
“I remember in pre-season, he showed us a lot of clips from the training. He showed a player who didn’t run well or stopped running and he said, ‘You see, you didn’t run now. Why? Because I give you a compliment?’
“I will not say the name but he will know. Nothing, he said nothing (about me)! But he said the truth to everyone. Everyone! Mo (Salah), Virgil, every player. If something is wrong, ‘You have done it wrong, we are doing it wrong’. I think every player was like oh, he looks at me every day, he looks at me every training session.
“I have to give 2000% always always, and that’s why we are here today. I hope we keep this position at the end of the season.”
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Konate has impressed alongside Virgil van Dijk this season and paid tribute to the Dutchman and his defensive colleagues. The Frenchman added: “It’s not only about Virgil. It’s about Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, all of these players. I think I learned a lot from all of them.
“But yes, we know with Virgil, how special he is, how good he is, and what he’s been doing for years. For sure, he’s so good. I take a few things from him and learn a lot. He gave me a lot of advice when I came to the club.
“Like I’ve said to him, I just want… I will be better than you one day. That’s why I work very hard every day to achieve this one day.
“It’s crazy how many man of the match awards I could get this season. Honestly, sometimes it’s very good to play with Virg because he is a very good player, but sometimes people who watch the game, I realise sometimes they think it’s only Virgil who plays.
“No, I play as well! And I’ve done a great game as well, but no, ‘it’s because of Virgil, it’s because of Virgil!’ I’m not jealous, but watch the game better, and it will tell you the truth!”.
