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Ibrahima Konate on knee injury, playing through the pain barrier and his Liverpool 'sacrifice'

-Credit:Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
-Credit:Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images


Ibrahima Konate has admitted he is playing through the pain barrier after returning from a knee injury at the start of the month. The France international injured his knee against Real Madrid at the end of November and spent six weeks on the sidelines before making his comeback in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United.

The 25-year-old’s return was well-timed, making his comeback just after the Reds had seen Joe Gomez struck down by a hamstring injury.

And while Konate insists he was closing in on a return anyway at the start of the calendar year, he admitted he rushed his comeback. But while he is currently playing with painkillers, he played down the severity of his ongoing issue.

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“For me, I tried to come back really 100 per cent but I'm not because I rushed my comeback with my knee,” he admitted. “But I have done this for my team. I can die for this team, then it’s fine.

“My knee will come back really 100 per cent very soon. It’s fine. I still have pain sometimes but I play with painkillers, it's enough for me to play.

“I don't have to think about that, I just have to think about playing. This (the pain) will go away soon.

“Honestly I was very close to coming back anyway. The plan was for me to train on this week but when I saw Joe with his injury, I thought: 'OK, I have to come back really quickly'.

“I don't really think about my knee. For sure, the first game, I felt it a little bit but the pain get better day after day, it's fine. It's enough for me to play and to have a good game as well.

“I just talk about my situation personally. Everyone will take their time to come back really fit to play.

“Of course, for sure (we are willing to rush back). I would not be surprised if someone did that because everyone wants to fight for this club and fight for these fans.

“At the end, if we read something happy, we will be happy because we have done a sacrifice.”

Meanwhile, Konate paid tribute to Liverpool’s medical staff as he revealed he thanked them with some cookies after helping him accelerate his return to the pitch as he insisted that the Reds have not taken a risk by the Frenchman rushing his return.

“For sure, the physios and medical staff have done a very good job for me,” he said. “Every day I spent, I don't know how many hours I spent at the club every day when I was injured.

“I was very happy and I thanked them with some cookies. This season, they have done a very good job with me.

“They will never take a risk with me, it was very me who was ready to play. I play with a little bit of pain but it is enough to play and to be ready as well.”