Ibrahima Konate admits Liverpool need to freshen up their squad with new additions this summer if they’re to be Premier League title challengers again.
The Reds won two trophies in 2021-22, taking the League Cup and FA Cup, while falling agonisingly short in the Premier League, pipped to the title on the final day by Manchester City. They also reached a third Champions League final in five years, only to lose 1-0 to Real Madrid in Paris.
But this season has proven far more difficult for Jurgen Klopp’s men, with their European exit at the hands of Madrid last week ending their hopes of silverware, having already lost out in both domestic cups. Additionally, a Premier League campaign filled with inconsistency - typified by their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth, a week after beating Manchester United 7-0 - and injury issues, has seen them left scrambling in the fight for fourth, with the Reds currently seven points behind Spurs.
France international Konate has had his own share of injury problems. The Paris-born centre-back has appeared in only eight Premier League matches thus far, and only 14 games in all competitions.
Issues with players lacking form and fitness have been a problem throughout the squad, coming on the back of a 60-plus game season. The 23-year-old told Eurosport: "This season is more complicated for all of us, for the whole club.
“No one is better placed than the coach to talk about the reasons why. We had the misfortune of having a lot of injuries, like me at the start of the season."
For Konate, to avoid a repeat in future, a stronger squad may be required, declaring: "We were maybe short on players. The workload was intense and it became complicated. But the season is not over.”
The former RB Leipzig man has no thoughts in his mind that Anfield isn't the best place for his future however. And he made clear that his focus is solely on bringing more trophies to Merseyside.
“When you play for Liverpool, the honest question is ‘Where can I go next?’," he added. "You need to perform to last in such a club. My goal is to be a key player for the short and long term and, of course, win all the trophies at hand.”
Konate lost two huge finals for club and country last year in the Champions League and World Cup. But he said: “I am lucky that I have zero regrets. When I look again at the scenario against Real Madrid, I say to myself: "What more could I have done?" Well, nothing at all.
"The World Cup final, I have a few precious minutes and I also say to myself: "What more could I have done?" And I don't see it. I have regrets for the team but no personal regrets."
