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DF_Ibrahima Konate(C)Getty Images
Marc Mechenoua

Konate explains family affair that led him to Liverpool & France's 2022 World Cup squad

World Cup
Liverpool
France
I. Konate
Exclusive
Premier League

Ibrahima Konate has explained why management of his career is a family affair and how that approach helped to secure him a transfer to Liverpool.

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Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
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There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.

Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
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Basic

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.

Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.

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  • Defender impressed in France & Germany
  • Moved to England in summer of 2021
  • Now chasing down global glory in Qatar

WHAT HAPPENED? The 23-year-old defender, who forms part of France’s squad at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar, first caught the eye at Sochaux in his homeland before moving on to enhance his reputation in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig. A £36 million ($43m) move to Anfield was then made in the summer of 2021, with Konate benefiting from having his brothers around him when it comes to advice and future planning.

WHAT THEY SAID: Konate has told GOALof why he puts so much faith in the hands of family members: “They have been there since I started football. The more you grow and pass stages in football, the more you realise that there are a lot of people trying to come around you. Sometimes you take stock and you realise that the people around you have a personal interest. They [family] want the best for me and they are the only people I can trust.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Konate added on the process that saw him link up with Premier League heavyweights, as Jurgen Klopp bought into his potential: “When we found out there was Liverpool, we got together and talked. Ok, there's Liverpool, there's Leipzig, what do we do now? In our discussion, we look forward to the next four or five years and everyone gives their idea and their point of view. Everyone says different things and no one is going to tell you you're wrong. It's like a puzzle, once I've put everyone's points of view together, well, I see things more clearly. And the decision is easier to make but in the end, it's me who makes the decision.”

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Ibrahima Konate France 2022Getty

Next matches
LIV

LIV

Premier League

01 Nov 2026

ARS

ARS

ITA

ITA

UEFA Nations League A

12 Nov 2026

FRA

FRA

Ibrahima Konate Liverpool 2022-23Getty Images

WHAT NEXT FOR KONATE? The highly-rated centre-half has taken in 33 appearances for Liverpool so far and will be hoping to return to Merseyside at the end of December with a World Cup winners’ medal in his pocket as France seek to defend their global crown in the Middle East.

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