Arne Slot provides Ibrahima Konate update ahead of Marseille vs Liverpool | OneFootball

Arne Slot provides latest on Ibrahima Konate ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Marseille

Liverpool head to Marseille carrying momentum, expectation and, in one key position, uncertainty. In Arne Slot’s first season in charge, which culminated in a Premier League title in 2024/25, the club have become accustomed to control and clarity. Yet ahead of their latest European assignment, the question hovering over the squad concerns Ibrahima Konate, whose absence has introduced a rare note of ambiguity into an otherwise settled Liverpool backline.

Konate was not at the AXA Training Centre earlier in the week, already in France for family reasons. His omission from Liverpool’s travelling party was therefore not a disciplinary matter or a tactical choice, but a personal one. That context matters, because it explains both why Slot was reluctant to elaborate and why the situation remains unresolved less than 24 hours before kick-off.

Slot keeps counsel

When pressed on whether Ibrahima Konate might yet join up with the squad in time for the match in Marseille, Arne Slot chose discretion over detail. The Liverpool manager made it clear that the defender’s absence was down to private circumstances, and he was in no mood to speculate beyond that.

“Ibou did not travel with us because of family matters and I will leave it at that,” Slot told reporters.

Asked again whether Konate could still link up with the team on Wednesday, Slot maintained the same line.

“I will speak to him again tomorrow, but he did not travel with us,” he reiterated. “I will leave it at that.”

Gomez in line for recall

If Ibrahima Konate does not make a late return, Liverpool will have to adjust. Joe Gomez is expected to partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, only his second start in that position this season. Gomez has been a reliable understudy, but Konate’s presence has been a defining feature of Liverpool’s campaign so far.

Despite occasional inconsistency, Konate has been remarkably durable, starting 29 of Liverpool’s 32 games across all competitions. His importance has been amplified by circumstances. Giovanni Leoni is out for the season with an ACL injury, while a move for Marc Guehi collapsed in the summer, leaving Gomez as the only other specialist option alongside Van Dijk.

Photo: IMAGO

What awaits in Marseille

Liverpool travel to France knowing that one point will be enough to guarantee qualification for the knockout stages. That should, on paper, suit them, yet complacency would be dangerous. Marseille are a passionate home side and this fixture carries weight beyond the table.

More importantly, Liverpool need more than mere qualification. To avoid the two-legged playoff round in February, Arne Slot’s team must accumulate additional points across their final two group games. That makes this trip more than a formality and heightens the impact of Konate’s potential absence.

How Liverpool cope without Ibrahima Konate, even for a single night, will offer another glimpse into Slot’s evolving project. After a title-winning debut season, expectations are high, but challenges like this reveal as much about a manager and his squad as any silverware.

For now, Liverpool wait, Marseille prepare and Arne Slot keeps his counsel, as one of his most important defenders deals with matters far more significant than football.