Liverpool have been dealt a new injury setback ahead of their Premier League clash with Manchester United next weekend.
Alisson Becker and Giovanni Leoni are confirmed absentees for the match, with the goalkeeper sidelined by a hamstring injury and the young defender out long-term following an ACL tear last month.
Ibrahima Konate also faces uncertainty after being substituted during last weekend’s defeat to Chelsea due to quad discomfort. He has been undergoing treatment while on international duty with France over the past few days.
The French national team confirmed this afternoon that Konate has withdrawn from the squad, with Benjamin Pavard called up as his replacement. A statement explained that the 26-year-old “has been receiving treatment and following an adapted program since his arrival at Clairefontaine on Monday, but he will not be able to play in Reykjavik on Monday.”
Following discussions with manager Didier Deschamps and team doctor Franck Le Gall, Konate has returned to Liverpool and will miss France’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Iceland, having been an unused substitute in their 3–0 victory over Azerbaijan.
It remains unclear whether Konate has suffered a setback with his quad injury, but the situation will be a concern for Arne Slot as he prepares for the Man United fixture in eight days. His fitness will be evaluated at the AXA Training Centre in the coming days.
If Konate is ruled out, Liverpool could be left with just Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as their only senior centre-backs—a risky scenario should either pick up an issue before the match.
At least Deschamps and France’s medical staff opted to send Konate back to Merseyside rather than risk worsening the injury.
While the defender’s recent performances have drawn criticism, Liverpool’s lack of defensive depth makes his potential absence a significant worry. The hope is that his withdrawal from international duty is purely precautionary and that he will recover in time to face Manchester United next weekend.
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