Liverpool manager, Arne Slot has provided an update on the injury status of Kostas Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley. The Dutchman is yet to provide a specific timeline for their return but anticipates that they will be back in contention by January.
Slot confirmed that while Alisson Becker made his return against Girona last week, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are also expected to be back ahead of the home clash with Fulham. However, Liverpool continues to miss the services of Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley.
Tsimikas participated in individual training at the AXA Training Centre recently which was seen as a positive first step for him.
Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, said:
“He has made the first positive step, but when players are back on the grass, still playing time, sometimes there is a little bit of time in between that. But I cannot say exactly how long because not every player reacts in the same way. Some players are earlier back with the same injury and some players need a little bit more time.”
Unfortunately, both Konate and Bradley are not yet fit enough to join him. "I have no clue (when they will be back), they are not on the pitch yet," said Slot about their recovery progress.
Impact on team strategy
With Tsimikas sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained last month during training, Andy Robertson has been playing full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s last six matches. This consistent place in the team has allowed Robertson to rediscover his best form - he was even awarded Player of the Match by UEFA following Liverpool’s win over Girona.
However, this situation presents a challenge for Slot who believes there is a fine line between giving a player rhythm and over-playing them. While he is pleased with Robertson’s recent form, he would prefer having Tsimikas back as soon as possible so he can manage both players' minutes more carefully during what promises to be an intense festive period.
Squad management challenges
Slot acknowledges that while some players are returning from injury, it is unlikely that the squad will remain injury-free during the second half of the season. This presents a challenge in terms of keeping everyone happy when all his squad is available.
He has warned his squad about their roles within the group and anticipates having to make some difficult selection decisions in the weeks and months ahead. As Liverpool navigates through this challenging period, fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on player recovery and how Slot manages his team's dynamics.
