Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate during his side's UEFA Champions League home victory over Real Madrid at Anfield on November 27, 2024
Ibrahima Konate has been in the form of his life this season Credit: Getty Images /Justin Setterfield
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has fuelled fears of a lengthy lay-off with an ominous social media post saying he is beginning a ‘recovery process’ following the knee injury sustained versus Real Madrid.
Arne Slot said Liverpool were awaiting a medical bulletin on the French defender, but Konate effectively ruled himself out of the visit of Manchester City this weekend on his Instagram page and hinted that a more serious issue has been discovered.
“So frustrating to pick up this injury right at the end of a great game on Wednesday night,” Konate posted.
“Now we start the recovery process, but one thing I promise is I will come back and be the best I can be once again.”
Liverpool are yet to reveal the extent of the damage sustained, but to lose Konate for any period represents a major setback given the calibre of recent performances.
Konate has been in the best form of his Anfield career this season, he and Virgil van Dijk forming the meanest defensive pairing in the Premier League.
Mounting injury problems ahead of City showdown
Liverpool’s injuries are mounting. They have been without Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota for over a month, while summer signing Federico Chiesa has barely featured.
Conor Bradley also limped off against Real Madrid and Kostas Tsimikas is another absentee.
Conor Bradley receives treatment for an injury sustained playing for Liverpool against Real Madrid at Anfield, November 27, 2024
Conor Bradley picked up what is believed to be a hamstring injury further depleting Liverpool’s defensive options against Man Ciy
Slot’s side face the reigning champions on Sunday, before a daunting schedule takes them to Newcastle United, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur in the coming weeks.
They have an eight-point lead at the top of the table, but how they deal with such setbacks will determine their capacity to maintain a healthy advantage.
Speaking on Thursday, Slot said the injuries to Bradley and Konate did not look good.
“They are still being assessed so it is difficult to see where they are,” he said. “It is never a good sign if players come off the pitch.”
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