Arne Slot shares whether Ibrahima Konate and Curtis Jones will be fit for Liverpool against Ipswich

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Liverpool are preparing for the visit of Ipswich Town on Saturday as they aim to secure their lead at the top of the Premier League.

The Reds head into the match as strong favourites, with a 34-point gap between the two teams at kick-off.

Having grabbed their first Premier League win of 2025 last weekend with a late show at Brentford, confidence should be high at Anfield.

That victory in West London was followed up with Liverpool securing three more points in the Champions League as they beat Lille 2-1 on Tuesday.

Ahead of the midweek fixture, Ibrahima Konate admitted he’s been playing with injury after returning to fitness in December.

And having chosen to keep the centre-back on the bench throughout the Lille match, Arne Slot has given an update on Konate’s availability to play against Ipswich.

Ibrahima Konate fit to face Ipswich

It was perhaps not much of a surprise to hear that Konate has been playing through the pain recently.

Having started the season so brilliantly, the Frenchman has been somewhat under-par since his comeback in December.

And with Joe Gomez out for a little while and Jarell Quansah struggling for form this season, Slot clearly needed Konate back as soon as possible.

Asked about the 25-year-old’s not quite being 100 per cent fit during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Slot suggested Konate’s comments had been overblown.

READ MORE: PSG’s Ibrahima Konate plan explained as Liverpool defender holds out on contract extension

“He still has some pain in his knee, don’t exaggerate, it but he probably still feels it a bit,” said the Liverpool head coach.

“It’s safe for him to play but it’s more the load. We always try to manage the risk and it now comes to a moment where he would be able to play three times a week.”

Curtis Jones set to miss Ipswich clash

Although it’s good news that Konate is fine for Saturday’s game, Slot was less positive about Curtis Jones.

Jones came off at half-time against Lille on Tuesday having laid the opening goal on a plate for Mohamed Salah.

And when asked about him on Friday, Slot confirmed that the 23-year-old would not be fit to face Ipswich.

“It’s usually not a good sign if a player asks to come out during half-time and it wasn’t because he won’t be available for the game tomorrow,” said the Dutchman.

“The rest we’ll have to wait and see. We’re not expecting months but let’s see if he’s available for PSV or Bournemouth.”