Ibrahima Konate, the formidable defender for Liverpool, has set his sights on helping his teammate, Mo Salah, win the prestigious Ballon d'Or. Having played alongside Salah for three years, Konate has witnessed firsthand the Egyptian forward's outstanding performances. Together, they have formed a crucial part of Liverpool's squad this season. Konate, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021, was already aware of Salah's exceptional quality before his arrival. However, he admits to being unfamiliar with the prowess of Virgil van Dijk before joining the club.
Konate believes that the defensive partnership with Van Dijk has significantly bolstered Liverpool's defense. Under the guidance of Arne Slot, Liverpool's defense has tightened substantially compared to previous seasons. Konate credits Trent Alexander-Arnold for aiding his attacking skills while ensuring defensive stability.
"On the pitch now, how I need him, I think it's the same for him with me. We just work together and try to be the best partnership in the world." – Ibrahima Konate
The team's control under Slot has improved from the "heavy metal" football previously employed by Jürgen Klopp. This shift has allowed for a more cohesive and strategic approach on the field. Konate is optimistic about winning trophies this season to bolster Salah's chances of clinching the Ballon d'Or.
"I really hope we will achieve great things this season because if he keeps going like this, I think at the end of the season he can win the Ballon d'Or." – Ibrahima Konate
Salah's current form has been nothing short of extraordinary. He leads the Golden Boot race ahead of Erling Haaland and boasts a goal involvement every 57 minutes on average. Konate is confident that if Salah maintains this level of performance, he can surpass his previous best Ballon d'Or finish of fifth place and secure the trophy next October.
"He will never say that because I think his objective is just to win big things with Liverpool. He doesn't really think about himself like, 'okay, I want to score more goals, I want to have more assists' – he just wants to win the game." – Ibrahima Konate
Liverpool's improved chemistry under Slot has been instrumental in enhancing team performance. Konate emphasizes that the collaboration across all positions has been vital to their success. His partnership with Van Dijk intimidates opposing strikers, significantly reducing their effectiveness.
"Some strikers see Virgil, and are just like 'okay, now I have no chance against him'. They don't give 100 per cent." – Ibrahima Konate
Konate's admiration for Salah extends beyond personal accolades. He aims to contribute to Liverpool's success on the field by strengthening their defensive capabilities and supporting Salah in his pursuit of greatness.
"I think this makes a lot of difference for us compared to under Jurgen." – Ibrahima Konate
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