Konate

Joel Matip has explained how he and the rest of the Liverpool squad are supporting Ibrahima Konate in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.

"Especially [at] this age, it's amazing what he can do. He's shown the class he's got. [Konate](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/ibrahima-konate) starred for France in their semi-final triumph over Morocco on Wednesday and, [after an illness scare](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/world-cup-final-france-argentina-25769998), will be hoping to retain his place for this afternoon's final with France at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. "He's showed that now again with the national team – with an amazing team. [Matip](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/joel-matip) and Konate, along with [Joe Gomez](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/joe-gomez), often compete with one another to partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of Liverpool’s defence. READ MORE:

Ibrahima Konate is appearing in the World Cup for the first time, and has made it to the final. His French side faces Lionel Messi's Argentina tonight.

I hope he comes back with a big smile – this will be a win then!”, Matip added. “He’s showed that now again with the national team – with an amazing team. “Especially [at] this age, it’s amazing what he can do.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has sent fellow centre-back Ibrahima Konate a message ahead of France's World Cup final appearance.

[Jurgen Klopp](https://tbrfootball.com/tag/jurgen-klopp/) will be hoping Konate can carry this form into the second half of Liverpool’s league campaign. [World Cup](https://tbrfootball.com/category/world-cup/) final this afternoon could see a [Liverpool](https://tbrfootball.com/category/english-premier-league/liverpool/) player lift the trophy for the first time since 2010. [Virgil van Dijk](https://tbrfootball.com/tag/virgil-van-dijk/). [Dayot Upamecano](https://tbrfootball.com/tag/dayot-upamecano/). [Fernando Torres](https://tbrfootball.com/tag/fernando-torres/) and [Pepe Reina](https://tbrfootball.com/tag/pepe-reina/) brought their winner’s medals back to Anfield on that occasion. [Lionel Messi](https://tbrfootball.com/tag/lionel-messi/) standing in their way in Qatar.

Ibrahima Konate was named on the bench for France in the World Cup final as Argentina raced into a two-goal lead.

[Football](/football), [Football World Cup](/football-world-cup), [Ibrahima Konate](/ibrahima-konate), [Dayot Upamecano](/dayot-upamecano), [Didier Deschamps](/didier-deschamps), [France](/france) [Ibrahima Konate has to start ahead of Upamecano in WC final after unreal highlights against Morocco](/football/ibrahima-konate-france-world-cup-199961-20221214) [Didier Deschamps asked if Karim Benzema could make stunning return for France in World Cup final vs Argentina](/football/didier-deschamps-karim-benzema-france-world-cup-argentina-420342-20221215) [Karim Benzema left ‘furious’ and ‘outraged’ by France manager Didier Deschamps](/football/world-cup-france-karim-benzema-didier-deschamps-782475-20221216) [Jules Kounde and Ibrahima Konate were unable to celebrate with the France players after beating Morocco](/football/france-world-cup-jules-kounde-ibrahima-konate-doping-test-010612-20221215) Funny." The 23-year-old had started three out of the six games for France ahead of the final, but also completed 90 minutes in the semi-final against Morocco, and he may certainly feel that he deserved to start the final. He did also give the ball away in the build-up to the second goal scored by Di Maria, but the team play from Argentina was a sweeping, perfect move that was virtually unstoppable, even if Upamecano did give the ball away. Konate has been in brilliant form for France in the run-up to the final, and was unlucky to find himself on the bench. [France ](https://www.sportbible.com/france)are blessed with defensive talent, as they boast the likes of Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane, Konate, [Upamecano](https://www.sportbible.com/dayot-upamecano) and William Saliba in their squad but also had the likes of Wesley Fofana and Presnel Kimpembe injured prior to the tournament.

Liverpool supporters have been torn over whether wanting our players to succeed in the World Cup or return to Anfield quickly but with just Ibou Konate left ...

[December 17, 2022] [Exclusive: Every word of our Sofyan Amrabat interview with Аnas Bakhkhar – will the Moroccan sign for the Reds?](https://empireofthekop.substack.com/p/exclusive-every-word-of-our-sofyan?sd=pf) [third Liverpool player in history to be on the pitch as his nation wins the World Cup](https://empireofthekop.substack.com/p/eotk-insider-liverpools-two-world). This news of the former RB Leipzig man being amongst starters in the tactical preparation for the match though is certainly positive and we will all be crossing our fingers in the hope that he can become just the

Ibou Konate was so unlucky not be handed the start for France in the World Cup final but he made the most of his brief cameo and nearly provided a ...

It was a disappointing end for a tournament that the 23-year-old was painfully unlucky not to have been handed more game time and to not have left Qatar as a winner. Ibou Konate was so unlucky not be handed the start for France in the World Cup Final but he made the most of his brief cameo and nearly provided a match-winning moment for his nation. Randal Kolo Muani was put through on goal but Emi Martinez was the hero for Argentina instead and managed to keep the well struck effort away from his goal.

Sunday was a heartbreaking day for Konate and France, as they went the distance against Argentina in Lusail only to lose 4-2 on penalties.

[Luis Diaz](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/luis-diaz/), [Diogo Jota](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/diogo-jota/), [Andy Robertson](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/andrew-robertson/), [Darwin Nunez](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/darwin-nunez/) and [Caoimhin Kelleher](https://www.thisisanfield.com/tag/caoimhin-kelleher/) among others, shows the Liverpool centre-back’s strong mentality. [Jurgen Klopp](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/jurgen-klopp/), particularly following the bittersweet campaign just gone and ahead of a crucial second half of the season. [Premier League](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/premier-league) and [Champions League](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/champions-league), gave his reaction on Instagram on Monday. [Ibrahima Konate](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/ibrahima-konate/) was in a philosophical mood as he reflected on France’s defeat in the World Cup final, looking forward to “great successes” in future. The 23-year-old took a positive outlook on France’s frustration in Qatar, channelling it as he set his sights on “greater successes.” Sunday was a heartbreaking day for Konate and France, as they went the distance against Argentina in Lusail only to lose 4-2 on penalties.

Ibrahima Konaté broke his silence after the World Cup final with a message on Instagram. The Liverpool star briefly featured for France.

There was the Premier League title race, where only a late winner by Manchester City against Aston Villa halted Liverpool’s march. Konaté might just feel this one more than most in that France side. How does that feel the day after, then? France ultimately fell to Argentina on penalties, however. Ibrahima Konaté on the World Cup final Ibrahima Konaté broke his silence after the World Cup final with a message on Instagram.