.png)
France defender Ibrahima Konate has said that he has received a message from England's Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the two countries facing each other on Saturday in the World Cup quarter-final.
Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 and won both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his debut season at the club playing alongside Alexander-Arnold.
He has found first-team minutes harder to come by this season but was a surprise inclusion in France's World Cup squad.
Advert
Konate is now set to come up against his club teammates Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson in Qatar.
Speaking ahead of the match, Konate explained the significance of the rivalry between England and France, and revealed that Alexander-Arnold had contacted him ahead of Saturday's match.
"This rivalry has existed for a long time, in U16 I played England and it was a different match,” said Konate.
“This rivalry has existed since the dawn of time. Alexander-Arnold sent me a message saying 'see you Saturday my brother' because I am very close to him."
Konate is hopeful France will emerge victorious this weekend but would like to his one of his Liverpool teammates win the tournament, if the defending champions lose to England.
Advert
"I want to say France but then you're going to use that against us! It's difficult, there can be so many surprises," said Konate.
"If I have to choose one, it will be France, or a team with Liverpool players."
Konate: Impressing for club and country
Ibrahima Konate has performed superbly for France during the World Cup, becoming a key player for Didier Deschamps’ side.
Advert
Konate may only have five caps at senior level, but the 23-year-old centre back has featured in three of France’s four games this tournament.
He also set an impressive record in his country’s 1-0 loss to Tunisia. Konate made 11 tackles in one match, the largest number of tackles in a single World Cup game since Gennaro Gattuso in the World Cup Final for Italy, all the way back in 2006. No centre back has ever made more tackles in World Cup history.
Konate has also developed a reputation as one of Europe’s best young centre backs because of his performances for Liverpool. Konate was crucial in last season’s run to the Champions League final, scoring in both legs against Benfica and putting in an excellent performance in the final itself, despite Liverpool ultimately losing to Real Madrid.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Football, England, France, Football World Cup