Liverpool have been given a significant injury boost in the lead-up to their Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night.
The Reds are in great spirits after their 2-1 win at home to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, in a result that saw them return to the top of the table.
While there was much to love in the end, from Mohamed Sala’s memorable winning goal to a brilliant cameo from Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate’s injury was a huge worry.
The Frenchman left the pitch at half-time in a huge amount of pain, holding his arm in a makeshift sling, and there were immediate worries that he could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Konate is known for being a little injury-prone, which made the situation all the more concerning, but a positive update has now emerged regarding the situation.
Writing on Instagram on Sunday [via This Is Anfield], the 25-year-old confirmed that “my injury isn’t serious thankfully” and that his scan “confirmed there is no break.”
He also added that he will “be ready for the next game”, which comes at home to Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen on Tuesday evening.
Our thoughts on Konate’s injury update…
This is a massive boost for Liverpool, considering it felt as though Konate could be missing for some time, and to have him potentially back in midweek feels significant.
Virgil van Dijk is well aware of how important his centre-back partner is, lauding him back in September, following the win away to Wolves:
“He is a fantastic player who still can be better. As you saw, he is important with the goal, he is defensively solid, a bit unlucky with the goal we conceded, but obviously the qualities he has are outstanding in my opinion. He is learning, growing, getting better and looking after himself much better in order to be ready every three days as that’s what asked.”
In fairness to Gomez, his excellent display on Saturday arguably merits him keeping his place against Leverkusen, prior to Konate returning to the starting lineup at home to Aston Villa in the league next weekend.
