Liverpool head coach Arne Slot speaks after the UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Anfield
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Arne Slot thumbs up to his players during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024
(Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Arne Slot is adamant Liverpool will be able to cope after they suffered a potential double injury blow ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Manchester City. Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate both sustained knocks during the closing stages of the Reds’ impressive 2-0 Champions League win over European champions Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
Bradley, who assisted the opener for Alexis Mac Allister, was forced off with a few minutes remaining with what appeared a hamstring injury.
Konate, meanwhile, took a heavy knock to his leg in a challenge by Real Madrid substitute Endrick in the last action of the match and required lengthy treatment after the final whistle before limping off.
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Liverpool were already without Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas and Federico Chiesa, while Trent Alexander-Arnold remained on the bench having not been deemed fit enough to start.
Slot’s side are in the midst of an intense run of fixtures, with the visit of City on Sunday the first of three games in a week where they also visit Newcastle United before the Merseyside derby against Everton.
And when asked if he knew more about the injuries to Bradley and Konate, Slot said: “No, not yet. I know where they have pain, but how bad or how good it is difficult to judge so close after the game.
“But this is what happens during the season. We missed Jota today, we missed Alisson today, we missed Kostas today, Trent couldn’t play from the start. This happens.
“I’m really hoping both of them are available to play because we want them all available, but if not someone else has to step up and until now this season everybody I’ve selected to start has shown up.
“That’s also what is going to happen on Sunday if they can play, and if they can’t play then other ones will start.”