Ibrahima Konate: We can't rest on our laurels now - Liverpool FC
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By Chris Shaw
Ibrahima Konate has opened up on the determination that drove him throughout this season – and why it has to be maintained into the next one.
The defender was a hugely reliable performer throughout a 2024-25 campaign in which Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions.
Having been a half-time introduction from the bench on the opening day at Ipswich Town, Konate went on to play 2,565 minutes in the top flight as Arne Slot’s side won the title.
Konate’s delight at being part of a championship-winning team is balanced out by a hunger for more, though, as he already sets sights on adding further success.
“I didn’t start the first match of the season, but I came on at half-time. From that point on, the objective in my head was clear: I wanted to win everything this season and leave no stone unturned,” he told The Athletic on international duty with France.
“Give nobody a chance, whether that’s the rivals for my position or my opponents. And that’s pretty much what happened. I’m very happy with the season we had.”
The No.5 said: “The most important thing is not to rest on our laurels. We won the Premier League, which is magnificent and which made everyone happy, but it’s not an end in itself. I want to win it again next year. Or win the Champions League.
“When next season begins, we shouldn’t forget about the title, because we won it and it’s etched in history, but we’ll need to set it aside and say to ourselves, ‘That’s behind us. Now, do we have the desire and the physical and mental strength to do what we did last season again?’
“It will be harder, because we’re the champions and everyone will want to beat us.”
Konate’s final club task of the season was an unforgettable one: being part of the Premier League victory parade through the city to celebrate the title on May 26.
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Watch on YouTubeThe event was, of course, marred towards its end by the serious incident on Water Street that saw many people injured and requiring hospital treatment.
All affected remain in the centre-back’s thoughts.
“We felt disappointment, sadness, fear,” he said. “Because everything had gone perfectly. And then this tragedy had to happen.
“We felt the tension for a few hours, even a few days, because we didn’t know what the casualty list was. We were really worried that people might have died. Thank God, there were no deaths, but there were lots of injuries. I wish them all a very quick recovery. That’s the most important thing.
“And I hope nobody will be scarred for life by this tragedy. It’s sad, because we’d had a magnificent time with everyone and it ended up being spoilt.
“The fact nobody died was a comfort. But people were still injured, and that’s what’s still on our minds. I hope they’ll all be OK.”
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