"He had a very difficult two weeks and probably still has a difficult time," Slot said. "We spoke at the end of last week when he said he was planning to be back for the end of this week and it would have meant he could not play this game, but when he saw the problems we had defensively, he called me early this week and said: 'I want to be back to help the team against Newcastle.'"
"It is very nice for him to score a goal when he has had such a difficult time, and I think this team has shown we are always there for each other in difficult circumstances -- that's what they were for him in the last few days. That's why they were so happy that he managed to score, what was told to me, is the first [league] goal at Anfield since he was here."
Ibrahima Konaté returned to Liverpool from compassionate leave following his father's death and scored the fourth goal in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United. Manager Arne Slot praised Konaté's professionalism for choosing to come back to help the team amid defensive problems and for training twice before the match. Konaté played well, earned sustained fan appreciation, and received teammates' support in the dressing room after scoring. Slot noted the goal was reportedly Konaté's first league goal at Anfield since his return. Slot also praised striker Hugo Ekitike, who scored twice in the first half.
Read at ESPN.com
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