Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate calls on Premier League to follow Ligue 1 in helping clubs in Europe

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsPL PredictionsPSG Are On-Pitch Purists Ekitike StrugglesLiverpool’s Ibrahima Konate calls on Premier League to follow Ligue 1 in helping clubs in Europe Justin Setterfield / Getty Images Share full article1Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has called on the Premier League to follow France’s Ligue 1 in rearranging fixtures to help clubs competing in European competition. Liverpool lost 2-0 to holders Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday night. PSG now have a free weekend ahead of the second leg at Anfield on Tuesday after the French top-flight postponed their six-pointer against title rivals Lens at the request of the French champions. But Liverpool face a visit from Fulham — unbeaten in three games against Arne Slot’s side — on Saturday in the Premier League, which is likely to be crucial for their push for a top-five league finish, which would guarantee a return to the Champions League next season. Ligue 1 has consistently accommodated requests from its clubs to postpone fixtures to ease congestion around key European matches. Strasbourg had their domestic match away to Brest this coming weekend postponed, as it’s in between their two Europa Conference League games to Mainz. Similarly, PSG had a free weekend between their last-16 games against Chelsea last month. Asked about the situation by Australian broadcaster Stan Sport, Konate said: “I think this is two times in a row — because last season it was the same. I wish we had the same thing in the Premier League but it’s completely different. “In a way I’m happy for them because it’s good for them (that) the league helps them to reach something in the Champions League. I hope in the Premier League they’re going to do the same in the future. Why not (do something) for the teams who play in the Champions League as well?” Goals either side of half-time from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia earned PSG a comfortable win over the Premier League champions, who did not produce a shot on target. Virgil van Dijk, the only survivor from the Liverpool side to come from a three-goal first leg deficit to defeat Barcelona at the semi-final stage in 2019, believes the situations are comparable seven years on. “Back then, you play one of the best teams in Europe, with obviously one of the best players ever in that team and we had injuries,” the Liverpool captain said. “And now we play against the best team in Europe. They’re obviously the European champion, so I think it is similar in terms of, on paper, probably no one gives us a chance. “So it starts with the belief, it starts with the belief that comes within yourself. Starts with the belief that we get from our manager, the right game plan, and the intensity that we have to put in from the second one to the last if you really want to achieve something.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms James Pearce joins the Athletic after 14 years working for the Liverpool Echo. The dad-of-two has spent the past decade covering the fortunes of Liverpool FC across the globe to give fans the inside track on the Reds from the dressing room to the boardroom. Follow James on Twitter @JamesPearceLFC