Ibrahima Konate fights back the tears after scoring just days after dad's death

Just days after his father’s passing, Ibrahima Konate scored for Liverpool in its win against Newcastle, fighting back tears in a poignant and memorable return to Anfield

Ibrahima Konate wiped away the tears after his goal(Image: Premier League)

Ibrahima Konate delivered a deeply emotional performance for Liverpool, scoring just days after the death of his father.

Konate revealed the tragic passing of his dad, Hamady, on social media last week, with the Frenchman missing Liverpool’s games against Marseille, Bournemouth, and Qarabag.

In his first match since the personal loss, Konate scored a late fourth goal to secure the Reds' first Premier League win in 2026 against Newcastle, sparking an emotional celebration. Overwhelmed with emotion after being mobbed by his teammates, the defender could not hold back his tears.

Former Leeds striker Lucy Ward on TNT Sports at Anfield said: "Written in the stars for Ibrahima Konate. He plays well and scores that goal. You can see the appreciation for his teammates after going through a pretty bad time in his life."

Reflecting on Konate’s performance, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard said it was clear how much the defender meant to Liverpool in a challenging moment. "That's what type of club this is," said Gerrard. "In a time like this. He's seen his team-mates have been struggling and they needed him. He was immense from start to finish. He deserved that goal in the end."

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Konate said: "For sure, I am very happy. I don't have words to describe what I feel right now because it was a very difficult moment for me and my family the last two weeks, but this is part of life. It is hard to accept that and we don't have the choice.

"I know that the team had some injured players, and the manager on the call said to take my time and I don't have to rush back. With this situation [injuries] it was important for me to come back and help the team.

"I did today with the team at Anfield, the atmosphere was incredible today, and this is what we need until the end of the season."

Konate scores his team's fourth goal against Newcastle United at Anfield(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)

Florian Wirtz has recently rediscovered his goalscoring form, providing an assist for an equalizer before he struck after the break to effectively put the game beyond Newcastle’s reach.

On Wirtz's performance, Konate said: "I am very happy for him to be fair. He just showed to the world his quality. He did not reach his peak right now but it is coming very soon. We spoke in pre-season what he is going to do and if he reaches that my God, it will be crazy."

On the importance of building momentum in the Premier League, the 26-year-old added: "We have to take game after game. For me, we are always the best team on the pitch but we maybe concede too many goals or don't score enough, but today we did very well and we have to take next game after next game."