Steven Gerrard sums Liverpool up with Ibrahima Konate verdict after emotional goal

Ibrahima Konate returned to the Liverpool team after three games out following the death of his father, and he scored in the Reds' 4-1 win over Newcastle

Steven Gerrard was on punditry duty for Liverpool vs. Newcastle(Image: 2026 Getty Images)

Steven Gerrard suggested that Ibrahima Konate's decision to return to the Liverpool team summed up the spirit of the club.

Konate missed Liverpool's recent games against Marseille, Bournemouth and Qarabag following the death of his father but returned to training last week and was back in the starting line-up for Saturday's game against Newcastle.

Konate's return came after Joe Gomez suffered another injury against Bournemouth last weekend, leaving Virgil van Dijk as the Reds' only other fit central defender.

The France international scored the fourth and final goal in Liverpool's 4-1 win, and was visibly emotional as he celebrated with his teammates in front of the Kop.

“That's what type of club this is," Gerrard said as he assessed Konate's return. "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.”

Konate spoke to TNT Sports after the game and revealed that it was his decision to return to Merseyside, despite Arne Slot telling him to take as long as he needed.

"For sure I am very happy," Konate said of his goal and the Liverpool win. "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.

Ibrahima Konate celebrates after scoring in Liverpool's win over Newcastle(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)

"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."

The win over Newcastle moves Liverpool up to fifth place in the league standings — temporarily, at least — as the club continues to battle to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.

"We have to take game after game," Konate said as Liverpool looks to build momentum. "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."