Jurgen Klopp has provided a timely update regarding the fitness of defender Ibrahima Konate, following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.
Alexis Mac Allister’s second-half penalty was enough to earn a point for the Reds on Merseyside after John Stones had opened the scoring for Pep Guardiola’s side. Liverpool are next in action against Manchester United at Old Trafford next weekend in the FA Cup and will hope to have a number of important players back in contention.
Konate, who had to be withdrawn against Sparta Prague in midweek, missed out against the Blues on Sunday but is one name who is thought to be nearing a return, according to Klopp. Fellow absentees Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago, Alisson and Diogo Jota also remain sidelined.
With the Reds’ crucial clash against Erik ten Hag’s side fast approaching, here’s how Klopp’s squad is shaping up ahead of a tricky trip to the Theatre of Dreams next weekend…
Ibrahima Konate
Konate was forced to be withdrawn in the Czech capital last week and was quickly replaced by Virgil van Dijk from the bench. Speaking after the game against City, Klopp provided an update on the French defender.
“Ibou has a chance for United,” Klopp told his post-match press conference when quizzed on Konate’s current status. “A good chance.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been missing for Liverpool since a 3-1 home win over Burnley back in February and it is thought the England international should be back following the completion of the upcoming March international break.
“Trent [is a] lateral ligament, he will be after the international break,” confirmed assistant coach Pep Ljinders after the Reds’ 1-0 Carabao Cup success over Chelsea last month.
Thiago
Thiago has been missing since Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal back in February and has been a long-term omission so far this season. Manager Klopp was asked just a few weeks ago whether the Spaniard will play again in 2023/24.
“There’s no timescale. I don’t know, to be honest. It’s a couple of things [that] he has to do now from a medical point of view and then I don’t know if that will then mean that he can play again [this season],” said the German.
“That’s not a short-term thing, that’s why I’m not really in the subject. It’s not that he might be in training in two weeks or stuff like this, so that’s why I’m not 100 per cent in it. I cannot say more about it, to be honest.”
Stefan Bajcetic
Midfielder Stefan Bajcetic is another player who has spent a lengthy amount of time on the sidelines for Liverpool so far this season. A calf problem has continued to plague the fitness of the 19-year-old and it remains to be seen when he will return to first-team action.
“He’s obviously gaining fitness now… he didn’t get a green light yet for us for the team training,” said Klopp just last month.
Alisson Becker
Alisson Becker has been out of action since he picked up a hamstring problem during the build-up to Liverpool’s recent 4-1 win against Brentford. He is set to return after the March internationals.
“There is no real timescale on it, but it is a proper muscle injury,” Klopp said. “Different players recover differently. That is it pretty much.
Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch was substituted during Liverpool’s Carabao Cup success against Chelsea at Wembley last month and once again faces a race against time to be fit before the end of the current season.
“It’s a ligament injury, could have been much worse, but bad enough for being ruled out for this game, next game,” said Klopp. “We will see. So, we need miracles with a few players, so that’s why I don’t want to rule out for too long.”
Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota is another player who remains sidelined for the Reds after he picked up a medial ligament injury against the Bees back in February.
“Then we have Diogo with a knee issue, is ruled out. With Diogo, it will obviously take rather months. It’s with the injuries as well, so like you have important days,” said Klopp.
“So, day five, day 10, they are always important days when you then judge the situation again because nobody reacts in the same way and it depends on the pain level they still have and stuff like this.
“I couldn’t give you a timeframe even if I wanted to, so that’s just how it is. When you don’t have these players available, it makes no sense as well to say, ‘OK, they will not be in before…'”
Joel Matip
Joel Matip has been a long-term absentee, after suffering an unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament injury during a challenge in the second half of Liverpool’s win over Fulham on December
“We lost today Joel and we have obviously no scan yet, but after all you hear and can see that will not be a short one. It’s his knee. Unlucky, but we have to get through this,” Klopp said.
