Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been handed a huge injury boost ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen, as Ibrahima Konate has taken part in full training.
The French centre-back had to be replaced at half time in Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win over Brighton & Hove Albion due to an arm injury, which he sustained in a freak accident with Virgil van Dijk.
Konate took a tumble in the penalty area at a corner, and the former RB Leipzig man felt the full force of the Dutchman on his arm, leaving him in agony as the half-time whistle blew.
Konate used his shirt as a makeshift sling as he trudged off the field alongside medical staff, and it was clear from his pained expression that he was in considerable distress, fuelling fears that he may have suffered a fracture or dislocation.
Joe Gomez stepped in for Konate as Liverpool fought back from a goal down to defeat the Seagulls, but the latter then shared a positive update on Sunday, revealing that scans had shown no broken bones.
Konate pictured in training before Leverkusen clash
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 4, 2024
The France international expressed confidence that he would be able to face Leverkusen on Tuesday evening, and he was able to train with the rest of his teammates on Monday in a major relief to Slot.
Konate did not appear to be sporting any sort of protective cast either, further easing fears about the severity of his injury, and there is a good chance that he will be able to start the midweek clash.
Konate has been hampered by several fitness problems since joining Liverpool from Leipzig in 2021, and the 25-year-old lost his place in the lineup to Jarell Quansah at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
However, the Frenchman has cemented his position as Van Dijk's first-choice partner during Slot's debut season, making 14 appearances in all competitions and providing two goals and one assist.
Konate has played the full 90 in each of Liverpool's three Champions League games so far this season, helping the Reds take nine points from clashes with RB Leipzig, AC Milan and Bologna to sit second in the 36-team table.
Which Liverpool players are set to miss Leverkusen clash?
© Imago
While Konate is expected to be given the green light to start on Tuesday evening, Slot is still set to be working without four longer-term absentees in Harvey Elliott, Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa.
None of the quartet should be back from their problems before the international break, meaning that they are also expected to sit out Saturday's Premier League visit of Aston Villa.
Konate is also one of two Liverpool players walking a suspension tightrope in the Champions League, as he and one of his teammates will miss the clash with Real Madrid on November 27 if they pick up a yellow card on Tuesday evening.
Liverpool and Leverkusen have previously locked horns on four occasions in the Champions League, but Tuesday's game will be their first meeting since their 2004-05 last-16 showdown, which the Reds won 6-2 on aggregate.
Current Leverkusen boss Alonso was on the Liverpool books that year, but he did not play in either leg due to a broken ankle.
Ben Knapton
