Wirtz ‘showing the world his quality’, says Konate

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike, left, and Liverpool's Florian Wirtz celebrate scoring their side's first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Newcastle. Pic: AP Photo/Jon Super

Given what he and his family have been through recently, Ibrahima Konate could be forgiven for taking little interest in discussing something as banal as the boastful pre-season predictions of a Liverpool team-mate.

Maybe it was a meaningless subject that proved therapeutic at a time of personal tragedy, after the Frenchman playfully shone a light on the ambitious goal-setting of Florian Wirtz, as the German continues to make up for his unconvincing start to life at Anfield.

The former Bayer Leverkusen play-maker added to a first-half assist with a deft finish for his side’s third goal to make it six in the last 10 in helping to seal a first league win of the year on the final day of January, and Konate said: “I’m happy for him, he’s showing the world his quality. He’s not reached his peak right now but it will be coming very soon and it’s another goal and assist for him.

“I know what he said to us privately in pre-season about what he was going to do in terms of the number of goals he was going to get. I can’t say what he said but if he reaches that then oh my god that would be crazy.”

Konate lost his father earlier this month, so a rare appearance on the scoresheet when he profited from Nick Pope’s woeful attempted punch clear at a stoppage-time corner was unashamedly tear-stained. “I don’t have words to describe how I feel right now,” the 24-year-old defender added.

“It’s been a very difficult time for me and my family these last two weeks. It’s part of life and it’s very hard to accept but we didn’t have a choice. The manager said I could take my time and that I didn’t have to rush back but I saw we had some injuries and with this situation it was important for me to come back and help the team.”

Hugo Ekitike has had a rather smoother acclimatisation since joining Wirtz in swapping the Bundesliga for the Premier League.

The Frenchman’s two goals in as many minutes as half-time approached turned a ridiculously open contest on its head, the hosts coming back to take a lead they weren’t to relinquish, leaving Newcastle without a victory at Anfield in their last 30 league visits.

The Magpies tried and failed to sign the 23-year-old in the summer but at least being undone by this particular high profile Anfield arrival didn’t leave as bad a taste in the mouth as had it been meted out by another one in the from of Alexander Isak, who watched from the sidelines as he continues his rehabilitation after injury.

“It’s not about me and the other goalscorers,” Ekitike reflected.

“This was about the whole team performing well, not just those on the scoresheet. The spirit in the squad is there for everyone to see.”

After taking the lead through Anthony Gordon and striking the frame of the Liverpool goal in a first 40 minutes brimming with energy and intent, Newcastle quickly ran out of steam, in part down to their midweek Champions League exertions in the 1-1 draw at Paris St Germain, while at the same time Liverpool were strolling to a six-goal victory over a hapless Qarabag.

The Tyneside club brought up an unwanted half-century of squandered points from winning positions against Liverpool in the Premier League era, and former England defender Kieran Trippier said: “We’re disappointed and very frustrated as a group.

“When you come here you know you’ll have to deal with the pressure that Liverpool apply and you have to keep your composure and keep calm.

“But then it’s one long ball over the top and they score.

“There’s no time to dwell on it, we have another massive game coming up and we don’t want to make any excuses for this relentless schedule.”

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Alisson 7; Szoboszlai 7, Konate 7, van Dijk 7, Kerkez 6; MacAllister 6, Gravenberch 6; Salah 6 (Chiesa 84, 6), Wirtz 8 (Endo 87, 6), Gakpo 6; Ekitike 8 (Jones 84, 6).

NEWCASTLE UTD (4-3-3): Pope 4; Trippier 5 (Osula 84, 5), Thiaw 5, Burn 6, Hall 7 (A Murphy 89, 5); Willock 6 (Woltemade 73, 6), Tonali 6, Ramsey 4; Elanga 3 (J Murphy 73, 5) , Gordon 7, Barnes 7 (Wissa 73, 5).

Referee: Simon Hooper