Liverpool defender admits to being ‘angry and sad’ when not picked

Dan Butterfield
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has revealed he feels angry and sad when he isn’t picked, but he is always ready when called upon.

The French defender joined the club in the summer from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig and has been in and out of the team as Jurgen Klopp rotates his centre-back options.


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Klopp has Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez to call upon and whilst Dutch star van Dijk and Cameroonian defender Matip appear to be first choice, Konate has been used in some big matches already this season.

He started at Old Trafford in the famous 5-0 drubbing of Manchester United as well as the Champions League round of 16 tie in the San Siro against Inter.

Now, speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Konate revealed that whilst he often feels disappointed to be left out, he is always ready.

“You have to be ready [and] this example is perfect.

“Imagine, ok you are angry, you are sad, but two days after you have to play and you are not ready in your head and then you do a bad game. This would be like you saying to the coach: ‘Yes, I know why I don’t play.’

“You have to be ready every time and if you play [well], you put some problems in the head of the coach and this is good for the group and for you.

“If you don’t play it’s normal you are not happy, you are sad. Everybody knows this because every footballer wants to play important games or wants to play normal games, but in the Premier League you don’t have normal games!

“After, if you don’t play, it’s you against you because ok, you will speak with the coach [and ask] why you don’t play and he will explain to you, but this will not change [anything].

“Then you have to fight, you have to work more and if you don’t play you have to think and ask yourself [why]. If you have the answer to your question, you work on this and this and this, and after your time will be coming. With the work, your time will be coming, for sure.”