A concerning injury update has emerged regarding an “outstanding” Liverpool player on international duty, having missed his latest training session.
The Reds are in need of some good news, having lost three games in a row before the international break, with Arne Slot under an element of pressure for the first time in charge.
There were injury concerns regarding both Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson after the 2-1 defeat away to Chelsea last weekend, with the former being substituted in the second half and the latter limping off after the final whistle.
Konate’s France teammate William Saliba provided an update on his colleague on Wednesday, telling reporters that his injury issue may only be minor: “He hasn’t been training because he has some minor injuries. “I hope he’ll be back soon but I don’t know any more.”
Now, Ouest-France [via Sport Witness] report that the 26-year-old missed France’s training session on Wednesday, along with Kylian Mbappe.
Instead, the Liverpool defender was limited to just “light jogging” away from the full training, suggesting that he won’t be available for Les Bleus‘ World Cup qualifier at home to Azerbaijan on Friday evening.
Liverpool need a fit and firing Konate back
Konate has struggled badly for form this season, producing a string of unconvincing performances, and seeing him pick up a lengthy injury would be another step in the wrong direction for him and Liverpool.
The Reds desperately need him back to his fittest and best after the internationals, with Virgil van Dijk heaping praise on his ability last season:
“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.”
Hopefully, Konate’s absence is only short-term, meaning he is back for Liverpool’s crucial Premier League clash with Manchester United at Anfield a week on Sunday, starting the game and returning to his best at the same time.
