Ibrahima Konate has reacted to Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa as they extended their lead at the top of the table
Ibrahima Konate has joked that he was surprised by Virgil van Dijk’s role in Liverpool’s opening goal during their 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. Strikes from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah clinched victory for the Reds, as Arne Slot’s men moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Van Dijk played a vital role in the Liverpool opener, starting the Reds counter-attack by sprinting after a loose ball down the right flank then playing a first-time dinked pass for Salah to run onto.
While the Egyptian would be taken out by Leon Bailey, Nunez was alert to the loose ball as he rounded Emiliano Martinez before rifling home to give Liverpool the lead in front of the goal.
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The strike was his third of the season after being recalled to Slot’s starting XI. And while Konate would make a big prediction about the Uruguayan after the final whistle, he also couldn’t help teasing his Reds captain and centre-back partner.
“I didn’t expect he can run until there and give the pass to Mo!” he said. “Honestly, it was a very good goal from Virg, Mo and Darwin at the end.
“I’m very happy for him [Nunez] and he has to keep going, keep pushing and he will score more goals, I’m sure.”
Meanwhile, Konate was also full of praise for goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher as he thanked the Irishman for his part in keeping back-to-back clean sheets.
The shut-out was the goalkeeper’s third of the season in the absence of the injured Alisson Becker, but first in the Premier League.
“We have to say thank you as well to Caoimhin [Kelleher] because he made two great saves from set-pieces from Aston Villa,” he told the club website. “He’s worked so hard since I’m here in Liverpool.
“He’s here before me but since I’m here he’s worked so hard and so well. And so when he has the opportunity to play, he just showed the world how good he is. Yes, I’m very happy for him.”
Konate has been impressive form himself this season and admitted he wants to be seen as one of the best defenders in the world.
“I’m very happy,” he said after the win. “I just worked so hard every day to be the best in my position in the world and I just have to keep going, keep pushing, and this will come one day, for sure.”
