Liverpool ace Ibrahima Konate explains Anfield influence on PSG hero Desire Doue
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has lauded Desire Doue after the Paris Saint-Germain talent helped inspire the French giants to victory in the Champions League final
Ibrahima Konate reckons that Desire Doue's match-winning penalty against Liverpool earlier in the season helped boost the Paris Saint-Germain superstar's confidence in the wake of his stellar performance in the Champions League final.
Doue, 20, was the star of the show as PSG thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich last weekend, netting twice as Luis Enrique 's side ran riot to clinch a maiden European Cup.
The fleet-footed forward caught the eye before that decisive spot-kick at Anfield with a dazzling display for the French champions.
And Konate feels that night has proven to be a catalyst for Doue in the second half of the season, during which his compatriot has emerged as one of European football's most exciting talents.
'His performance was a dream,' Konate told The Athletic. 'I'm extremely happy for him, because when he signed for PSG, he had to tiptoe in a bit. There's the pressure, the need to adapt, so it always takes a bit of time.
'There was a turning point in January, when the coach (Luis Enrique) started showing more faith in him. The appearances he made off the bench against us, and the fact he scored the last penalty (in the shootout at Anfield) gave him an exceptional confidence boost.
'Since then, he's just been the player he is, because he has huge qualities. He has great natural physical qualities and he's already very mature in terms of his football. Plus, he has technical proficiency that is way above average. And he has a healthy lifestyle. I tend to observe people and I notice if people pay attention to what they eat or if they do a lot of gym work.
'But scoring two goals and providing an assist in a Champions League final… I don't think he'll have slept much since!'
While the celebrations from Liverpool's Premier League title win are only just dying down, Konate has already set his sights on atoning for this season's Champions League exit in the Round of 16 by winning the tournament next year.
'The most important thing is not to rest on our laurels,' he said. 'We won the Premier League, which is magnificent and which made everyone happy, but it's not an end in itself. I want to win it again next year. Or win the Champions League.
'When next season begins, we shouldn't forget about the title, because we won it and it's etched in history, but we'll need to set it aside and say to ourselves, 'That's behind us. Now, do we have the desire and the physical and mental strength to do what we did last season again?'
'It will be harder, because we're the champions and everyone will want to beat us.'
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