Ibrahima Konate has lifted the lid on the differences between Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp - and revealed how the former accidentally sparked a fire in him early on his reign.

Konate enjoyed a superb season as Liverpool won the Premier League title in Slot’s first campaign as head coach.

Slot will no doubt be keen to keep hold of the 26-year-old, who has made himself one of the Dutchman’s most dependable players, despite having started the 2024/25 campaign on the fringes.

Konate found himself on the bench for the opening game of the season at Ipswich as Jarell Quansah was initially preferred by Slot, having also ended the previous season with a run of games in Klopp’s side.

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With Liverpool struggling to break down its opponent though, Slot called upon Konate in a surprise switch for Quansah, although the gamble paid off as the Reds won 2-0 - and the rest, as they say, is history.

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Ibrahima Konate started the season on the bench before becoming a regular in Arne Slot's side.

Detailing what changed for him under Slot after Klopp’s departure, Konate has now told The Athletic how that moment at Ipswich would be the catalyst for what would turn out to be his best season yet at Anfield.

“He has a playing philosophy that’s a bit different — he’s more focused on build-up play and holding onto the ball a bit more,” Konate said of Slot.

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And that’s pretty much what happened.”

Liverpool will of course be looking to defend its title next season, with pre-season preparations already well underway with Jeremie Frimpong joining the ranks, and Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez looking as though they could follow soon.

Reflecting on the recently ended season, Konate added: “I’m very happy with the season we had