Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has revealed that Reds’ colleague Trent Alexander-Arnold has already been stoking the fire ahead of the pair’s meeting this weekend.
A vast array of Reds’ players are set to come together in England ’s World Cup quarter-final meeting with France on Saturday evening. Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is among those but it is Alexander-Arnold and Konate who have been in touch with each other ahead of what promises to be a hugely entertaining game.
The French centre-back has detailed exactly what his club colleague has said with just a few days to go until the match itself. Speaking at a France press conference, the former RB Leipzig centre-back said: "This rivalry has existed for a long time, in U16 I played England and it was a different match.
“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."
In the meantime, Konate has appeared to hint that he believes England could well be among the favourites to claim the trophy in Qatar later this month.
He continued: "I want to say France but then you're going to use that against us! It's difficult, there can be so many surprises. If I have to choose one, it will be France, or a team with Liverpool players."
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Konate, 23, was named in the France squad ahead of the tournament despite having only previously made three appearances for his nation. He has started two out of the reigning champions four matches so far having played the full 90 minutes in their opening victory against Australia, before playing in their defeat to Tunisia.
The defender was afforded just 15 minutes against Denmark, whilst being named as an unused substitute in the round of 16 victory against Poland. Konate has already suggested that his stint in the Premier League could hand him an advantage should he be handed a start by Didier Deschamps.
He said: "English football has brought me greater concentration. A mistake is paid for in England. Each team is dangerous, you have to be concentrated every weekend."
His Liverpool colleague Alexander-Arnold has been afforded considerably fewer opportunities by Gareth Southgate during the World Cup. The 24-year-old has played just 33 minutes in Qatar - that coming in a brief cameo in the T hree Lions’ final group game against Wales.
France and England both already know their potential semi-final opponent should they progress from this weekend’s clash. They will come up against either Portugal or surprise package Morocco - the latter managing to find a route past Spain via a penalty shootout.
