Ibrahima Konate was forced off at half time of Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday
Arne Slot says it is too soon to offer a real update on Ibrahima Konate after the Liverpool defender was forced off with an injury in the 2-1 victory against Brighton on Saturday.
The France international was substituted ahead of the second half for Joe Gomez after picking up what appeared to be a shoulder injury in the final seconds of the first period as the Reds had a corner down the visitors’ end.
Konate was in some discomfort as he made way down the players’ tunnel, flanked by club physio Chris Morgan, but Slot was unable to offer a considered report on the issue for his centre-back, who is now a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen.
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Konate is now set for a scan before that game, meaning Slot will be better equipped to offer a more fulsome update when he speaks to the media on Monday to preview the visit from Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen.
“He had a little bit of pain at half time,” Slot said. “So it was only the first half that was a disappointment, it was also the fact he had to go off because he has been really good for the whole season.
“The good thing is in that position I have two very good options as well in Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez and I took Jarell off five minutes before the end against Brighton [on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup] because for 20 minutes he was already stretching and I could feel and see he was tired which is not strange because he hasn’t played so much.
“And then with 45 minutes to go I felt I had to bring someone in who is fitter than Jarell is. We don’t know yet [Konate’s situation]. He is in a lot of pain but he hasn’t been to the hospital yet and maybe it is not even necessary to go to the hospital. It is always difficult to judge an injury in the first hour or first 10 minutes after a game when it has happened.
“Let’s hope he can be with us sooner because until now he’s had a big impact on our season. But Joe deserved the trust I gave him today because he was outstanding in the second half.”
