After missing time with an injury, French defender Ibrahima Konate has been “permitted” to re-join the Liverpool team
During the Reds’ preseason game against Strasbourg, Konate developed a problem that has prevented him from playing since.
The Liverpool staff has deemed Konate healthy, and he is set to be in the squad to face Brighton this weekend, according to the French sports outlet RMC Sport.
Despite being back, the Frenchman is expected to gradually reintegrate into the lineup, which may result in Joel Matip sharing the center of Jurgen Klopp’s defense with Virgil Van Dijk.
The Dutch center-half, who earlier called Konate a “very, very talented player,” will be thrilled to see him start again over the coming weeks.
Since joining the Reds for £36 million from RB Leipzig at the beginning of last season, the France international has made 29 appearances, including a start in the Champions League final, which the Reds lost to Real Madrid by a score of 1-0.
The 23-year-old was an important part of Liverpool’s lineup near the end of last season, and his absence at the outset of this one has been felt keenly.
Liverpool has had a rocky start to the current season, winning just two of their first six league games, which is uncharacteristic of them.
The continuous injury issue, which has seen players like Thiago and Henderson join Konate in the medical room, has not benefited Jurgen Klopp’s team.
The Germans will be attempting to prevent what their injury issues did to them during the 2020–21 season, which nearly cost them a spot in the top 4.
Due to the problem, the Reds were forced to play their sixth-choice center back and failed to play with the same degree of passion that had helped them win the title the year before.
When they play Brighton in Robert De Zerbi’s first game as Seagulls manager, Klopp will have nearly a fully healthy squad at his disposal after a nearly month-long absence owing to the Queen’s passing and the international break.
Leave a Reply