Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is inching closer to full fitness after a challenging spell on the sidelines.
The 25-year-old French international returned from a knee injury earlier this month. And since he has been carefully managed by Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who revealed that Konate’s workload is being monitored to avoid further setbacks. Despite playing with the aid of painkillers, Konate’s progress has been evident.
“I think you’ve seen how we try to manage that. I think we skipped him twice, didn’t we?”
Slot told reporters on Friday:
“At least in this game [against Lille], Jarell played, and the Accrington game he didn’t play as well.
That is a bit maybe because he has still some pain in his knee – don’t exaggerate it, but he probably feels a bit. It’s safe for him to play, but it’s more the load you’re aware of.
If a player is out for five or six weeks and then you play him every three days, that’s, in our opinion, a certain risk.
So we always try to manage that. I think he now comes to a moment where he would be able to play three times a week.”
Konate Nearing Full Fitness as Slot Highlights Key Area for Improvement
Slot also addressed comparisons between Konate and his centre-back partner Virgil van Dijk, pinpointing an area for the former RB Leipzig man to elevate his game. While praising Konate’s defensive prowess, Slot emphasized the importance of improving his ball-playing abilities. Slot explained,
“I think he’s already very good. It’s a centre-back that, without him even touching the ball, you already feel ‘oo, quite impressive,’ because he’s so strong and tall.
One of the things he could improve, in my opinion at least, is his play with the ball, bringing the ball out from the back.
I would not say he was poor in that, but he could improve, he could go to another level. I think he works really hard to improve that and I already see this improvement. Defensively, he’s of the highest standard.”
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Konate’s partnership with Van Dijk is gaining recognition as one of Europe’s best. However, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly monitoring him closely, Liverpool may need to secure the Frenchman’s future sooner rather than later.
Konate’s current contract runs until 2026, but talks of a new deal are already underway as the Reds aim to stave off interest from Europe’s elite clubs. Liverpool’s No. 5 remains a cornerstone of Slot’s defensive setup, and with his development on and off the ball, the sky’s the limit for Konate.
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