Reaction'We won't give up' - Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate insisted Liverpool will not give up as they strive to recapture their form following Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Arsenal.
The Reds twice drew level at Emirates Stadium as goals from Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino cancelled out strikes by Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
But Saka ensured the hosts would take all three points by converting a penalty in the 76th minute.
Konate made his first appearance of the season following a knee injury as a second-half substitute. Read Liverpoolfc.com’s post-match interview with the centre-back below.
Watch match action: Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool
- Want to watch this video? Subscribe to LFCTV GO now and you’ll also get first-team highlights and audio commentary, live Academy football, documentaries, boxsets and much more
On his reflections on the game…
Of course I am very sad for the team because we didn’t start very well this game. We tried to come back, 2-2, and after Arsenal scored one penalty. It’s very sad but we have to keep the head held up and keep going to work every day, every day, every day. Sometimes it’s like that, but we don’t give up now and we have to work again, again and again.
On Liverpool regularly giving themselves a lot to do by conceding first in games…
Yes, of course. I cannot really explain that... we have to talk to each other on the pitch and fight at the start of the game [and] at the end. We are very sad but now we have to watch what was our mistake in this game and try to not do this again in the next game.
On how much frustration there is within the squad…
Yes, of course it’s a lot. I think the start of this season, it [has not gone] very well and we did not expect that. After I was not really with the team in the last months and I cannot really explain this situation, but now I am back and I will try to do everything to help the team.
On making his first appearance of the season…
Yes, of course I am very happy to be back. It was two long months but I want to thank all of the club’s medical group who helped me to come back good and stronger I hope. Of course the result today was not very good for me, for us, for the fans. Excuse us for that but we will try to give more.
On the aim of taking another step towards the last 16 of the Champions League by beating Rangers on Wednesday…
Yes of course, now we have to think about the game in the Champions League. The game will be at Rangers, I know the stadium has a very good atmosphere but we play football for that and we have to do a very good result for qualification for the next step.