Liverpool receive injury boost ahead of crucial Man United clash | OneFootball

Liverpool handed major injury boost before Man United clash

Konate relief for Slot and Liverpool fans

Liverpool have received encouraging news ahead of their Premier League showdown with Manchester United, with Ibrahima Konate’s injury not thought to be serious. The French defender was withdrawn early in the second half of the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, prompting concern across the Liverpool bench and among travelling supporters.

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Reds head coach Arne Slot offered an update after the match, saying: “I don’t know if it is a big injury, but what I do know is he limped a little bit and when I asked him he said he felt his quad a little bit. Then, for me, all alarm bells go off because in another sprint you never know if that is going to go good.”

Slot admitted that a substitution had already been planned. “It was also already a substitution I had in mind, maybe for a few minutes or a little bit later, because the right centre-back had a lot of ball possession and we needed to create from that position. We all know Ryan [Gravenberch] is quite good in that. It might be OK that he went off early enough but it was clear I had to take him off because he was limping.”

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Injury scare eases as French tests planned

According to Le Parisien, Konate is still expected to report for duty with France at Clairefontaine on Monday, where he will undergo further assessment. The French publication claims the issue is “not a major concern” ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland.

For Liverpool, that represents a timely boost after a difficult week. With Giovanni Leoni sidelined for up to a year due to an ACL tear, and Wataru Endo withdrawing from Japan’s squad through an unspecified injury, Slot’s defensive depth has been stretched.

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Alisson still doubtful for Anfield showdown

Elsewhere, goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains doubtful for the meeting with Manchester United. The Brazilian was forced off in the Champions League defeat to Galatasaray with a hamstring issue and subsequently missed the Chelsea clash. He will also sit out Brazil’s fixtures against South Korea and Japan, with his fitness closely monitored by Liverpool’s medical staff.

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Slot will be encouraged that Konate’s situation appears far less serious. The Frenchman’s pace and strength have become essential to Liverpool’s defensive shape, particularly in high-pressure fixtures. His return to fitness would provide a major lift as the Reds look to reclaim momentum at Anfield.