Former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has congratulated Ibrahima Konate on reaching the World Cup final.
Konate played the full 90 minutes last night as France beat Morocco 2-0. They’ll face Argentina in Sunday’s showpiece. The Liverpool man was obviously delighted after the game, taking to Instagram to share his feelings on reaching the final.
Amongst the well-wishers to comment was former Red Sakho. A 29-cap French international himself, the 32-year-old is well-versed in the pressure of representing Les Bleus.
That pressure has yet to be felt by Konate, though. He has breezed his way through this World Cup, and could now find himself in the starting XI for the final.
“Congratulations,” wrote Sakho, alongside a love heart emoji.
He wasn’t the only one with a Liverpool connection to comment, either. Adrian made sure to pass on his best to Ibou, as did goalkeeping coach John Achterberg.
Konate joins exclusive Liverpool club
Konate has become only the ninth Liverpool player in history to reach a World Cup final with his country. He’ll be looking to become only the sixth to play any part in the final itself. When you think about all of the talent to play for the Reds over the years, that’s quite a paltry return.
However, having not had a representative in the biggest match of all between 1970 and 1998, things have improved in recent years.
Following Dejan Lovren four years ago, Konate’s inclusion will mean Liverpool have had players in the last two finals. That Konate was technically Lovren’s replacement at Anfield is a nice little quirk.
Liverpool also had three players featuring in the 2010 final, which makes it a good little run for the club.
Ibou will be hoping he can follow Roger Hunt, Ian Callaghan, Gerry Byrne, Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres in picking up a winners medal.
As for Sakho, he actually almost had a a winners medal himself. Despite his acrimonious departure from Liverpool in 2017, he was still a fixture in French squads up until 2018.
Having made the preliminary squad for the successful 2018 campaign in Russia, he was axed from Didier Deschamps final selection. He now plays back in France with Montpellier.
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