Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has disclosed the playful yet pointed message he delivered to his club and international teammate, Hugo Ekitike, during a training session on Merseyside, aiming to spur the young forward on.
The Cheeky Training-Ground Exchange
In a recent interview with Canal+, Konate recounted the motivational tactic he employed. Following an intense training session, Ekitike expressed his exhaustion, claiming he was "knocked out" and "dead." Seizing the moment, Konate proposed a trip to the gym.
"Actually, we don't have to go to the gym, but it's better to go, because we're kind of 'called up'," Konate explained. After a deliberate two-second pause, he posed the decisive question to his tired colleague: "Do you want to go to the French national team or not?"
The message hit home instantly. "A minute later, he was in the gym," Konate added with a laugh.
Ekitike's Promising Start and National Ambitions
The context for this exchange is Ekitike's promising beginning to life at Liverpool. The 23-year-old French striker joined the Reds this summer in a £79 million deal from Eintracht Frankfurt and is the only other French national playing under new manager Arne Slot.
His early returns have been encouraging, with six goals and one assist in 16 appearances across all competitions. While he has sometimes played a supporting role to fellow summer signing Alexander Isak, his performances have not gone unnoticed by France's head coach, Didier Deschamps.
Ekitike earned his first senior call-up to the French national team at the end of August and has since made four appearances, though he is yet to score. Konate, who boasts 25 caps himself, was quick to praise Ekitike's work ethic despite his playful prodding.
"The anecdote is a bit funny, but afterwards he quickly understood how it worked," Konate said. "In terms of work, he is someone who is very diligent and who will progress, I have no doubt about that."
Mentorship from a French Superstar
Ekitike's support system extends beyond his Liverpool teammate. He also enjoys a close, mentoring relationship with France captain Kylian Mbappe.
Speaking to Daily Mail Sport, Ekitike described how the bond formed when he was a teenager struggling to break into Mbappe's Paris Saint-Germain team. "He has been like a big brother to me," Ekitike revealed. "He was always good to me, always gave me advice."
He added, "He saw me in a bad position at PSG. So he is happy for me that now things are working out." The pair now reunite in the national team and will face each other in the Champions League when Liverpool meets Real Madrid.
