Ibrahima Konate makes Liverpool 'return' as staff left irritated by long Arne Slot talks

A look at some of the behind-the-scenes moments missed from Liverpool's 3-1 win over Leicester City on Boxing Day at Anfield

Liverpool went seven points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to a 3-1 win over Leicester City on Boxing Day. After Jordan Ayew had given the visitors an early lead, the Reds responded with goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah as Arne Slot's leaders took full advantage of Chelsea's defeat at home to Fulham.

Next up for Liverpool is a visit to West Ham United to close out 2024. Whatever happens in London on Sunday evening, the Reds will end the calendar year as the team in top spot ahead of a potentially thrilling second half of the campaign.

But you knew all of that, of course. What you might have missed, however, were a series of intriguing subplots at Anfield on December 26...

Konate in good spirits

He might have been sidelined since the 2-0 win over Real Madrid in late November but Ibrahima Konate appeared to be in good spirits in the post-match mixed zone at Anfield.

The Frenchman, in what is the first sighting since the Madrid game on November 27, was decked out in full club regalia and was in a relaxed mood as he chatted to friends within the Leicester squad after seeing his team-mates wrap up the victory.

It's unclear when Konate will be cleared for action but there is no knee brace in place now for the centre-back and the jovial nature of his demeanour on his Anfield 'return' perhaps suggests he is not too despondent about the prospect of missing much more football.

It's been a while since fans have seen the centre-back in action but his mood is clearly not a low one as he awaits the green light to return to competitive action for Liverpool.

Van Nistelrooy keeps 'em waiting

The assembled media were made to wait much longer than normal as Ruud van Nistelrooy took the opportunity for a post-match catch-up with Slot in the Reds boss' Anfield office.

Van Nistelrooy cared little for newspaper deadlines and took his time over his meeting with Slot. The Leicester manager, in fact, took so long that even some of his staff were getting impatient at what time they were able to get on the long trip back to the Midlands.

While Van Nistelrooy talked through the game with the media, a member of the Leicester party couldn't help but air some private frustrations at the ongoing delay around the departure. Clearly, many within the Foxes' contingent didn't want to stick around after a deserved defeat.

The late bedtime of the players involved by the time they arrived back home from Merseyside was cited as reason for why those who travelled needed to get on to the motorway sooner rather than later. As it ticked closer to midnight, it was hard to argue.

Boos for Coady

It's rare that any returning player is the subject of Anfield boos. But that's exactly what happened to Conor Coady when he was substituted for Caleb Okoli late on for Leicester.

The Liverpool fans in attendance were not particularly disappointed to see their former centre-back move on way back in 2014 to Huddersfield Town and nor did they harbour any ill will for what was a young defender looking to kick start his career down the pyramid over a decade ago.

However, with it being pantomime season, Reds fans couldn't resist a booing, just to remind Coady of his stint with Everton, where he spent a season on loan for 2022/23. Unfair? Probably.

Day off for Van Dijk

It was a rare day off for Virgil van Dijk when it came to Liverpool post-match media duties on Boxing Night. The Liver captain never shirks the responsibility to front up to the press after every game and this was no different at Anfield after the 3-1 victory.

Only this time, as Van Dijk came past to speak to the reporters who he so generously gives his time to after every match, he found them huddled speaking to another high-profile member of the squad, leaving the defender to walk past declaring that he was in fact not needed.

Don't take it personally, Virgil. It was no snub. We'll catch you at West Ham...