Liverpool's new head coach, Arne Slot, has provided an update on the condition of defender Ibrahima Konate, who was forced off the pitch during their recent 2-1 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The match, which saw a late Chelsea goal snatch victory, was further soured by the sight of Konate limping off the field in the second half.
According to Slot, Konate reported feeling discomfort in his quad. "I don't know if it's a big injury, but I do know that he limped," Slot stated. "And I asked him, and he said: 'I feel my quad a little bit'." The manager admitted that the player's condition immediately raised concerns. "For me all alarm bells go off because in another sprint then you never know if that is going to go good," he explained.
Slot revealed that the substitution was already in his thinking, but Konate's injury prompted him to act sooner. "It was already a sub I had in mind for maybe a little bit later, because the right centre-back has a lot of ball possession, and we all know that Ryan (Gravenberch) is good in there". He further elaborated, "It might be OK that he went off early enough, but it was clear I had to take him out because he was limping".
The extent of Konate's injury remains unclear, and further assessment is expected to determine the severity and potential recovery time. Konate is due to join the French national team for international duty, and it's likely he will be evaluated by their medical staff to determine his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland.
Losing Konate for any significant period would be a blow to Liverpool, who are already navigating a challenging start to the season. The team has suffered three consecutive losses in all competitions, including defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray. With limited defensive depth, Konate's absence would further strain Slot's options at centre-back.
The international break may provide a timely respite for Liverpool, allowing Konate to receive treatment and potentially recover before the Premier League resumes. The club will be hoping for positive news regarding the defender's condition in the coming days.
In the meantime, Slot will need to assess his defensive resources and consider alternative pairings in central defense. The Liverpool manager emphasized the need for the team to improve their overall performance to avoid relying on "margins" in close games. "We have to work harder to not rely on these margins," Slot said.
