Ibrahima Konate was left in amazement at Thiago Alcantara’s sensational display for Liverpool last night.
That’s according to the reporter who interviewed Jurgen Klopp for Sky Sports after the game at Anfield.
Asking Klopp to comment on Thiago’s performance, the reporter said that he had a front-row seat for what Konate thought of his teammate’s role in the 4-0 win.
“Thiago tonight?” he asked Klopp.
“Yeah, not bad! It was good,” replied the Liverpool boss.
“I was sat next to Konate who just clapped him all night”
“Yeah, yeah, I can imagine, he’s a good player, world class player, no doubt about that,” chuckled Jurgen.
You weren’t the only one, Ibou. Some of the things Thiago was doing with the ball against Manchester United were simply out of this world.
Konate shows his class
Konate’s reaction may just be a small thing to note, but it’s a nice little window into the togetherness of the Liverpool squad.
Having scored in three consecutive games for Liverpool, the Frenchman may have expected to start last night.
Not only has he been scoring recently but his all-round game has been mightily impressive too. One or two Liverpool fans might have been wondering if Klopp had started the process of easing him into Joel Matip’s first-choice berth next to Virgil Van Dijk.
That doesn’t appear to be the case for now and Matip showed exactly why last night. The defender’s part in The Reds’ second goal of the game was a perfect example of what he gives Liverpool in an attacking sense.
Konate could have sulked, though, but he didn’t. Instead he showed his full support of the players chosen and got behind his teammates.
Harmony within the squad
The atmosphere that the players not playing every week have created within the club is what has helped propel Liverpool forward this season.
It helps that with so many games, minutes have been spread throughout the squad in different competitions. But keeping so many talented players happy whilst not playing every game is testament to the excellent blend of personalities Klopp has assembled as well as his man-management.
Konate and others will their chances in the weeks to come. If Liverpool do pull off the impossible and win every trophy available to them this season, it will be because of the quality of 20-odd players, not just the starting 11.
Keeping them fit is one thing, but keeping them happy and engaged is another. Klopp has handled both aspects masterfully as The Reds bear down on what could be their greatest ever season.
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