Ibrahima Konate delivered one of the most touching moments of the season when he found the net in the last few minutes against Newcastle.
The Liverpool defender capitalised on a costly error from Nick Pope, who fumbled what should have been a straightforward catch, leaving the ball at Konate’s feet inside the box.
He tapped it home and sprinted away in celebration before the emotions overwhelmed him completely.
The centre-back burst into tears on the pitch, having only just come back from compassionate leave after losing his father earlier this month.
Ibrahima Konate celebrated his goal just days after his father’s passing
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REUTERS
Anfield responded beautifully, chanting his name as goalkeeper Alisson raced across the entire pitch to embrace his teammate.
Liverpool got back to winning ways with a commanding 4-1 triumph over Newcastle at Anfield, bringing an end to a frustrating five-game stretch without a Premier League victory.
The reigning champions showed real character to bounce back after falling behind, with Hugo Ekitike proving the hero against a club who desperately wanted him.
Newcastle had chased the French striker across three separate transfer windows over more than three years, only to watch Liverpool snap him up from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.
Ekitike had already netted against Eddie Howe’s men in August, and he loved making them pay once again on home turf.
Anthony Gordon had given the visitors the lead with a neat finish, but Liverpool’s response was swift and devastating.
This Konate goal is truly a special one 🥺#LIVNEW | @LFC pic.twitter.com/IcNAOEO9Tm
— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) January 31, 2026
Wirtz was the creative spark, weaving his way through a sea of Newcastle defenders before sliding the ball across for Ekitike to convert with a clinical first-time strike at the near post.
Just two minutes later, the Frenchman struck again. Milos Kerkez found him with a pass down the left, and Ekitike drove into the area before drilling the ball past Nick Pope into the bottom corner.
After the break, Mohamed Salah teed up Wirtz with a clever lay-off, and the German swept home to make it three.
It was only late on when Konate found the net in his first appearance since returning from compassionate leave following his father’s passing earlier this month.
Pope’s error gifted the defender the chance, dropping a straightforward catch to leave Konate with a simple finish.
Hugo Ekitike scored twice and Florian Wirtz also netted in a big win for Liverpool over Newcastle
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REUTERS
The centre-back broke down in tears as he sprinted away, with goalkeeper Alisson racing the length of the pitch to embrace him while Anfield sang his name.
Former Leeds striker Lucy Ward, speaking on TNT Sports, 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.”
