Liverpool FC are facing a mounting injury crisis ahead of their much-anticipated Premier League match against Manchester United. The team has been dealt a fresh blow with the withdrawal of Ibrahima Konate from the France national squad due to an injury concern.
Alisson Becker and Giovanni Leoni have already been ruled out for the upcoming match, scheduled for Sunday week. Becker, Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper, is sidelined due to a hamstring problem while teenage defender Leoni will be absent for an extended period following an ACL tear last month.
Adding to these concerns, centre-back Ibrahima Konate was substituted in last weekend’s defeat to Chelsea after experiencing quad pain. His condition has been monitored and treated during his international duty stint over the past few days.
Konate withdraws from France squad
The official website of the France national team confirmed that Konate has been released back to his club due to his injury concern. Benjamin Pavard has been called up as his replacement.
A statement from the French team clarified that 26-year-old Konate 'has been receiving treatment and following an adapted protocol since his arrival at Clairefontaine on Monday.' However, he will not be able to participate in their World Cup qualifier against Iceland in Reykjavik on Monday.
Konate made this decision after consultations with manager Didier Deschamps and team doctor Franck Le Gall. He had previously remained unused during Les Bleus' 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan.
Uncertainty looms over Man Utd clash
While it remains unclear whether or not Konate aggravated his quad injury further, this development certainly adds more pressure on coach Arne Slot ahead of their encounter with Manchester United in eight days’ time.
The Frenchman's fitness will be assessed at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre over the coming days. If he is deemed unfit for Liverpool’s next match, it will leave Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as the only two senior centre-backs available. The France medical team's decision to send Konate back to Merseyside today could be seen as a precautionary measure, aimed at avoiding any risk of exacerbating his injury.
Despite recent criticism over his form following some lacklustre performances, Konate's potential absence for the Man United game is a significant concern due to Liverpool's limited centre-back depth.
