Arne Slot to be relieved as risky decision pays off over Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate was outstanding in Liverpool’s victory over Arsenal, but there were fears as he came off with an apparent injury scare.
Konate has been very injury-prone during his time at Liverpool, missing a number of games each year with various issues.
The centre-back started the season shakily, with Konate criticised after Liverpool’s first two matches of the season, but he stepped up to help keep a clean sheet against Arsenal.
The Frenchman was called up to the France squad for their International fixtures despite Konate’s substitution against Arsenal with what appeared to be an injury, and this may have been a nightmare for Arne Slot.
Ibrahima Konate started for France despite injury scare
France faced Ukraine in Poland in their World Cup qualifying match, and Didier Deschamps decided to start Konate, while also leaving the impressive Hugo Ekitike on the bench.
Slot may have been furious with Deschamps as a result, as given Konate’s injury record and his recent scare, he should have perhaps been left out of the starting lineup.
- Konate played 90 minutes for France against Ukraine.
- The defender kept a clean sheet and restricted the hosts to four shots.
With Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez on the bench, Deschamps had experienced options to call upon, but William Saliba’s injury at Anfield left him short of natural centre-backs.
However, Konate made it through the 90 minutes unscathed, and this will come as a huge relief to Slot, as it not only shows that he is fully fit after the Arsenal win, but that he is capable of playing a full game.
Liverpool need to be cautious over Ibrahima Konate
Konate has missed 45 games for club and country through injury since the start of the 2022-23 season, and given a lack of depth at the back, Liverpool need to be cautious with him.
A failed Liverpool deal for Marc Guehi means that Liverpool’s centre-back depth is Joe Gomez and new signing Giovanni Leoni, and this means that Konate cannot afford to pick up a long-term injury.
The defender has made 136 appearances for Liverpool since joining in 2021, but faces an uncertain future as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
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