Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate should be back available very soon.
Konate missed Sunday’s win over Manchester City through injury. But speaking in his pre-match press conference via Liverpool FC on YouTube, the Liverpool boss said Konate could be back in just ten days. Klopp also gave a roundup of the Reds other injury issues at the moment, starting with Curtis Jones.
“Curtis was on the bench [vs City], it was clear we will not bring him on, we just had space,” said Klopp. “[He] looks really good in training but needs further training until he’s really available. He could be a step closer now after two days but didn’t train yesterday so maybe half a step closer.
“Oxlade [Chamberlain] is getting closer. Yesterday in full team training but it needs time. [He] was out for a while, now we have to make sure he can put all the sessions in his legs which he needs. Naby [Keita] is now in parts of team training, so slightly different.
“Ibou [Konate] not in team training yet but we knew before that it won’t be that long. He’ll be out for maybe 10 days before he can start training again. Tomorrow it’s a week and maybe [he’ll be in training] Saturday. Whenever he is back in team training, he was not long out, so if he can train fully, he is available.
“Joel [Matip] still a little bit away and of course Luis [Diaz] as well, not even close to team training. Calvin [Ramsay] had a little setback but now I think he’s ready to play U23s [U21s] at the weekend, which is great.”
Shoots of hope, but some bad news too
A full comprehensive roundup from the boss. The biggest takeaway is that Konate should be back very soon. With Matip still seemingly some way from fitness, this is very much needed.
In his absence, Liverpool should be fine in the short-term. Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk were superb against City on Sunday and Trent Alexander-Arnold being fit eases the need for Gomez at right-back.
But with fixtures coming thick and fast until the World Cup break, Liverpool will need everyone.
In that respect, it’s also great to hear that Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are also not far away. Along with Naby Keita, they’re yet to play any competitive minutes for the Reds this season.
There is of course some bad news too. Jurgen confirmed the news that no-one wanted to hear today – that Diogo Jota will miss the World Cup. Klopp wouldn’t be drawn on how long the forward will be out but admitted it would be ‘months.’
This accentuates the loss of Diaz, too. As things stand, Liverpool are without both of their first choices for the left side of their attack.
Not ideal, then. But some pearls of good amongst the wreckage of World Cup dreams.
It looks as though Klopp will have near enough the same squad as the weekend for tomorrow’s clash with West Ham. Looking beyond that though, and he may have some more options very soon.
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