
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is an injury doubt ahead of the crunch clash with Manchester City on Sunday after limping off during last night’s 5-1 demolition of Sparta Prague in the Europa League.
Virgil Van Dijk replaced him in yesterday’s clash, and manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed in his press conference that while the young centre-back felt positive, there is still lingering doubt regarding his situation because they had not gotten a scan result yet.
Klopp will be sweating on Konate’s fitness as the Frenchman and Van Dijk have formed a terrific partnership in the centre of defence. The 24-year-old has helped the Reds to five league clean sheets in 19 appearances, winning 65% of his duels.
He is a pivotal presence that Liverpool will hope to have at the back ahead of Sunday’s match-up with Manchester City.
The boss also confirmed that Mohamed Salah is fine after returning to action yesterday, and Joe Gomez is also fit after coming off at half-time.
Liverpool still have a number of injury concerns to worry about ahead of City’s visit, with Curtis Jones, Jayden Danns, Stefan Bajcetic, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara missing.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota are also sidelined.
Despite lacking a few key players, Klopp and his machines will hope to put a larger gap between them and City.
The Cityzens are currently a point and a place below Liverpool on the EPL log and will be desperate for some breathing space.
Whisper it lightly, but the Reds are still on course for that elusive/historic quadruple. It will be the perfect send-off if Klopp can clinch it in his final season.
Liverpool are already a quarter of the way there after claiming the League Cup. The Reds are also in the quarter-final of the FA Cup, where they will face Manchester United.
Liverpool placed a leg in the quarter-final of the Europa League with the win over Sparta and can take charge of the PL title race with a win on Sunday.
