Ahead of the UEFA Champions League matchday 2, Liverpool FC will travel to face LASK Linz. Defender Ibrahima Konaté spoke with the club's official media, discussing the team's response to the previous defeat, his development years in Vienna, guidance from Virgil van Dijk, and his expectations for this season's Champions League campaign.

Interviewer: Ibrahima, it's clear how disappointed everyone was after Sunday's match. But you won't let that feeling linger too long, will you? You must be eager to get back on the pitch quickly in the next game and secure a victory.

Konaté: Yes, the match was very frustrating. But the next day, we regrouped as a team and we know a new challenge awaits us in the coming days. We need to ensure we recover fully, which is crucial, and we have to take it seriously. Tomorrow we go again.

Interviewer: You know this place well, don't you? You played for Rapid Vienna as a teenager, which was an important period in your career development. What are your impressions of that experience?

Konaté: Yes, I came to Vienna with my family when I was very young. I spent around four or five years in their youth academy. That experience helped me grow as a footballer. I moved to several countries at a young age, and these experiences taught me a lot. You become stronger both mentally and as a player.

Another important thing I gained from there was language. I was fortunate to learn the local language. I think it's very important to learn the local language if you're living in a country for an extended period. So I'm grateful for that experience, and also for having good coaches at that time.

Interviewer: Seven years have passed. Now you're in your second season at Liverpool FC. You understand the club's expectations and demands, and perhaps now you have a different understanding of your role in the team. Are you beginning to help younger players adapt and understand what it means to be a Liverpool FC player?

Konaté: Yes, I've always believed it's very important for players to feel welcomed. We need to communicate better off the pitch and improve on it. This is my second year at Liverpool FC, and I already know what it means to play here and what I need to do. We have to win, and the whole team needs to be truly united and believe in the coach's football philosophy. I hope we can build on that and keep moving forward.

Interviewer: The next match will be Virgil van Dijk's 200th appearance as Liverpool FC captain. Can you speak about the experience he brings to the team and his impact?

Konaté: 200 games already?

Interviewer: Yes.

Konaté: He's an outstanding captain. I'm really happy to play alongside him. He's helped me tremendously with defensive organisation. I feel that this season I want to help him more in defence. He's always helped me, and I want to do more. You can learn a lot from him. He's an exceptional player with great success, so having him in the team is excellent for us.

Interviewer: Do you feel you're performing better than last season? As we've discussed, you have a better understanding of what the club demands, and you've learned from Virgil van Dijk. Do you feel you should take another step forward now?

Konaté: Yes, absolutely. This is my second season here. As you said, when I first joined, he helped me a lot. The experienced players in the team always help all of us, and he continues to help me this season. But as I just mentioned, I feel I need to work harder and show stronger commitment to sharing defensive responsibilities with him. He's also willing to work on defensive play with me. I think it's crucial that we build this partnership and trust. As defenders, we want clean sheets, which is very important. We are the first line of defence. I always say that as a full-back, everything you do in attack is a bonus, which is certainly good, but in defence, we need to be solid like a wall and try to keep clean sheets. That's what matters most.

Interviewer: You enjoy the Champions League, don't you? You performed excellently against Atlético Madrid. Playing in the world's highest level of football has always been a dream of yours throughout your career.

Konaté: Yes, I love and enjoy the Champions League. For me, the Premier League and Champions League are the two best competitions a footballer can participate in. I'm fortunate to compete at this level. I hope to continue developing myself and enjoying the game. Now I have this platform to play for one of the best clubs in the world. For me, what matters most is continuing to develop, training hard, and enjoying everything.

Interviewer: One final question. This is Liverpool FC's 30th season in the Champions League. Fans plan their schedules around matches they might watch every year. How do you feel about this season, particularly the Champions League? What do you think the team can achieve?

Konaté: You know, I'm not the type to make too many predictions. I've never been like that. I prefer to take it one game at a time. Right now, we're clearly focused on tomorrow's match against LASK Linz. But I think we've shown significant development in many areas and proven that we can compete with any team.

Of course, I believe that if all players can stay healthy, they will help us greatly. Currently, we still have some players unavailable, and I hope they recover quickly and return to the team so we have a full squad. I believe we have the capability to compete for various honours.

As I just mentioned, under the coach's leadership, we are continuously developing in many areas. In the previous match, even before the second yellow card, we showed promise. I think this team has many high-level players, and everyone is eager to win the title. That's what this club is truly committed to. I hope we can achieve these goals in the future and then enjoy the celebration of our collective success.

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