Ibrahima Konate likely won’t play in the Merseyside derby and the Real Madrid match due to a hamstring injury sustained in Liverpool‘s FA Cup loss to Brighton.
Frenchman has been one of Liverpool’s few bright spots this season despite playing just 10 times due to injury setbacks and his World Cup commitment.
Konate has started the last six games for the Reds. But that streak of games will end as the defender suffers hamstring problems, according to Dominic King of the Mail.
The 23-year-old is expected to be out for “a fortnight at least,”. But given Liverpool’s luck this season, nobody would be surprised to see that time pushed out. The Times’ Paul Joyce has even forecast “up to three weeks off.”
The problem was discovered after Sunday’s loss at Brighton and is the latest setback for Jurgen Klopp. Klopp is already without Virgil van Dijk since the Dutchman has a few more weeks before he can resume training.
Fixtures Konate will miss due to injury
Konate will miss the games against Wolves (Feb. 4) and Everton (Feb 13) during this upcoming injury absence. It will bring his total number of games missed this season to 13.
If his recuperation takes more than a fortnight, he might miss the trip to Newcastle (Feb. 18) and the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 matches against Real Madrid (Feb. 21).
Nat Phillips has been filling in at the center back. But he was thought to move on deadline day, which also was affected by the 23-year-old’s absence.
Rhys Williams has rejoined the team after spending the first half of the season on loan. But with two senior center-backs currently out injured, the Reds may need to reevaluate their strategy.
Konate has now entered the Liverpool treatment room alongside Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Roberto Firmino, Van Dijk, and Arthur.
