'Unforgettable' - Ibrahima Konate on first Liverpool appearance
Ibrahima Konate described his maiden Liverpool appearance as an 'unforgettable moment'.
The summer signing represented the Reds for the first time since arriving at the beginning of the month in the second of their back-to-back 30-minute friendlies on Tuesday.
Konate was involved for the duration against VfB Stuttgart, a contest that ended 1-1 – just as the preceding meeting with Wacker Innsbruck had.
90-second highlights: LFC 1-1 VfB Stuttgart
“Yes, I am very happy,” the No.5 told Liverpoolfc.com of the emotions he felt on his debut.
“It’s an unforgettable moment for me. Yes, without our fans – but I am very, very happy. Just a little bit sad – very sad – because we didn’t win. But it’s OK, I’m happy.”
Jürgen Klopp’s second starting line-up of the evening fell behind to a slick Philipp Forster goal for Stuttgart but secured a successive draw when Sadio Mane tucked home Kostas Tsimikas’ low cross.
Konate reflected: “I was very happy with the team on the pitch; good communication with everybody.
“Step by step we will be better, this is the first time in pre-season. We are waiting for the next game.”
That next fixture comes on Friday as Liverpool face one of Klopp’s former clubs, FSV Mainz 05, in a full-length game that will see up to 3,500 supporters in attendance.
“Of course, this is the best,” said Konate. “[It has been] a very long time with the COVID situation, it was very bad for everybody in the world.
“And for the football players, very sad when you play without your fans.
“Now, I think it will be a new level with the fans because the fans were sad to not be here with us. And this will be very, very important to us.”
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