Konate admits 'I was close to crying' as he took stock of Liverpool's title win and celebrations

BRAHIMA KONATE admits he was close to crying when Liverpool clinched the Premier League as he revealed the Arne Slot teamtalk that set the Reds on the road to the title.

- By IAN DOYLE

Liverpool sealed a record-equalling 20th championship with four games to spare by thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at an emotional Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

It was the second time in five years the Reds have been crowned the best team in England.

Konate did not sign for the club until 2021 but was part of the squad that missed out by a point in 2022 and fell away during the closing stages of last season.

After Liverpool supporters had finally departed Anfield after the final whistle, Konate was spotted sat alone in the Main Stand reflecting on his achievement at becoming the first French player to win the championship with the Reds.

And he explained: "After the game I walked into the stadium and just sat in the stand to feel like a fan and I don’t have words to describe what I felt.

"I said to my brother, 'I want to see how it is to sit in the stand if I watch a game, and I tried to act like a fan but the stadium was empty and I just wanted to enjoy the moment on my own.

"We won it with 60,000 fans and us on the pitch. I just wanted to feel something different and I am very happy now.

"I was close to crying. It’s crazy, unbelievable, and we have to really enjoy it now.

"Everyone in the dressing room was very happy, it was a great moment, but everyone was tired as well."