Liverpool have suffered a major blow ahead of their Premier League clash against Manchester City, with Ibrahima Konate facing a spell on the sidelines.
The French defender limped off with an apparent knee problem at the end of Wednesday night’s memorable 2-0 Champions League win over title holders Real Madrid at Anfield following a battle with Brazilian sensation Endrick.
Injuries to Konate and Conor Bradley were the only weak points on an otherwise great night for the Reds, with the latter picking up a hamstring problem late on on Merseyside and being replaced by Joe Gomez after otherwise enjoying a brilliant game as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, dealing with the threat of Kylian Mbappe with aplomb and producing a huge tackle on the French superstar.
Manager Arne Slot told City’s pre-City press conference on Thursday that both players were still being evaluated, but did not take an optimistic tone on either.
He said: “It’s difficult to see where they are. This is never a good sign. Conor had to be kidnapped and Ibou [Konate] did not leave the field as he should. We have to wait and see.
Reports suggest that Bradley could be out for around four weeks, while others have claimed that Konate could face around five to six weeks of inactivity.
Konate took to social media on Friday afternoon to provide an update for Liverpool fans, writing on Instagram: “So frustrating to get injured right at the end of a big game on Wednesday night.
“Now we start the recovery process, but one thing I promise is that I will come back and be the best I can be again. Thank you for your incredible support at Anfield. Inshallah we will continue and I will support the team every step of the way.
Such setbacks come before early leaders Liverpool host second-placed City at Anfield, where a win would put Slot’s men 11 points clear of Pep Guardiola’s crisis-ridden reigning champions at the top of the table. elite.
Konate has been an almost ever-present for the Reds this season partnering captain Virgil van Dijk, starting all but one Premier League game and all five of their games so far in the new Champions League.
In the only league game to date where Konate did not start – against newly promoted Ipswich on the opening weekend – he was brought on at half-time to replace the struggling Jarell Quansah.
It will be either Quansah or Gomez who fills in at centre-back against City in Konate’s absence, with the pair having played together in the Carabao Cup this season when Van Dijk was also rested.
The loss of Bradley – who helped set up Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal on Wednesday – is mitigated by the return to full fitness of Trent Alexander-Arnold following a hamstring problem suffered before the recent international break.
The England defender returned to the team against Madrid but was an unused substitute, with Slot having since confirmed he is ready to start against City.
Liverpool will be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson this weekend as Caoimhin Kelleher replaces him again after an impressive outing against Madrid in which he saved a second-half penalty from Mbappe, while Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa and Kostas Tsimikas is also absent due to injury or lack of full fitness.