Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has poked fun at Trent Alexander-Arnold for claiming he is “proud” of his Liverpool teammate Ibrahima Konate.
Konate started ahead of Joel Matip for Liverpool in the Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday night. Vinicius Jr’s goal ensured Liverpool’s season ended in disappointment in a 1-0 defeat in Paris, but Konate came out of the match with credit for his personal performance.
The 23-year-old centre-back has grown into the season as it's gone on and become a reliable performer for Jurgen Klopp’s side. His impact following a £36million move from RB Leipzig last summer is shown by the fact that the Champions League final was his first loss for Liverpool in his 29th appearance for the club.
Konate was partly selected ahead of Matip for his pace, which was needed to deal with Real dangerman Vinicius, who was constantly trying to find space behind Alexander-Arnold when he pushed up from right-back. The Frenchman did a good job and Alexander-Arnold was bursting with praise for his teammate during the club’s open-top bus parade in Liverpool on Sunday.
Asked about Konate by the LFCTV interviewer, Alexander-Arnold says: “Outstanding. The performance that he put in yesterday, I’m lost for words to be honest. I honestly can’t say anything… words won’t do justice to how I felt about his performance yesterday. I was so proud, honestly, I don’t know why I felt proud…”
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is standing nearby then butts in with a smile on his face to ask: “How old is he?! Been there and done it before have ya?” Alexander-Arnold is the same age as Konate, but does have a great deal more experience, having helped win the Champions League in 2019.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Have you been as impressed as Trent Alexander-Arnold with Ibrahima Konate's performances? Comment below.
The Liverpool full-back was not put off by Oxlade-Chamberlain’s playful jibe and continued to speak about his love for Konate. “We’ve created a bond and we’ve got along so well,” he said. “He’s an amazing lad and an unbelievable player. The potential he has is ridiculous. I’m very proud of him. The sky's the limit. There’s no ceiling on his potential. Hopefully we’ll win a lot of trophies together, me and him.”
While Alexander-Arnold may well win more trophies alongside Konate, to add to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup they collected this season, Oxlade-Chamberlain may not be there to join in. As Mirror Football exclusively reported last week, Liverpool are ready to sell the midfielder this summer.
The 28-year-old still has one year left on his contract but has fallen way down the pecking order this season. Liverpool will ask for in excess of £10m for the former Arsenal and Southampton man, with West Ham and Aston Villa both interested in signing him. Liverpool are keen to cash in rather than let the deal expire and the player go for free next year in 2023. Oxlade-Chamberlain went to Liverpool in August 2017 after choosing Anfield ahead of Chelsea in a £35m move from Arsenal.
