Konate Injury Updates: Liverpool Await Fitness News Ahead of Manchester United Clash
Liverpool are waiting anxiously for further developments on Ibrahima Konate’s injury, with the France international sitting out national team training following his withdrawal against Chelsea last weekend. The defender’s ongoing fitness concerns have once again sparked debate around his durability and Liverpool’s defensive depth, as manager Arne Slot manages a demanding start to the season.
Konate’s Fitness Question After Chelsea Setback
Konate’s absence from Didier Deschamps’ latest training session has drawn attention in both England and France. Reports from Le Parisien confirm that the 26-year-old missed group training on Tuesday evening, instead opting for treatment alongside Kylian Mbappé, who is nursing a minor ankle issue.
Both players were seen signing autographs in casual trainers before heading indoors for recovery work, suggesting their involvement in France’s upcoming fixtures remains uncertain. Les Bleus face Azerbaijan in Paris on Friday before travelling to Iceland on Monday, yet it’s unclear whether Konate will feature in either World Cup qualifier.
Deschamps has maintained a calm tone, insisting neither player would have reported for duty if their respective issues were serious. “Kylian is here. He had a small problem that isn’t a deal breaker. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come,” said the French boss. “For the vast majority, they arrive tired. They arrive from one week to three matches. I will have to spread out the playing time more than in September. They are all fit to play.”
Liverpool’s Defensive Management Under Scrutiny
Konate’s latest injury setback will raise familiar concerns for Liverpool supporters, particularly given his history of muscular problems. The Frenchman was forced off after 56 minutes during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, prompting immediate caution from Slot.
“I don’t know if it’s a big injury, but I do know that he limped,” Slot told reporters post-match. “I asked him, and he said, ‘I feel my quad a little bit.’ For me, all alarm bells go off because in another sprint then you never know if that is going to go good.”
The Liverpool manager made a tactical substitution earlier than planned, opting to protect the player rather than risk aggravating the issue. “It might be okay and he went off early enough,” Slot added, “but it was clear that I had to take him off because he was limping.”
France to Provide Update on Konate’s Condition
According to Le Parisien, the next official injury update on Konate is expected “in the coming hours” as France’s medical staff assess the extent of his quad problem. Both he and Mbappé will undergo further evaluations to determine their availability for the upcoming qualifiers.
Deschamps, however, downplayed the concerns earlier this week. “There are still injuries. I don’t have any additional information,” he said. “We’ll have an update when the players arrive.”
Given Liverpool’s packed schedule and reliance on Konate’s pace and physical presence, any prolonged absence would be a significant setback. Slot’s side have leaned heavily on the Frenchman’s partnership with Virgil van Dijk this season, with the pair offering balance and composure at the heart of the defence.
Focus Turns to Manchester United Fixture
Liverpool are due to return to Premier League action after the international break with a crucial fixture against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, 19 October. With the Reds already contending with a demanding run of fixtures, Konate’s recovery timeline could shape Slot’s defensive options heading into that game.
Should the Frenchman be ruled out, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah are expected to be in contention to start alongside Van Dijk. Liverpool’s medical staff will remain in close contact with the French national setup to monitor progress before the squad reconvenes at Kirkby next week.
As things stand, Liverpool remain hopeful that Konate’s issue is precautionary rather than serious. Yet with France prioritising fitness management and the Premier League fixture list intensifying, the next 48 hours will prove decisive in determining whether the defender is available for selection against their fiercest rivals.
