Arne Slot says Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley need further assessment to determine whether they will be available for Liverpool’s crunch Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
Konate hurt his knee after a challenge from Endrick in the closing stages of Wednesday’s impressive 2-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The France international needed treatment on the field after the final whistle before getting back to his feet and hobbling off.
Bradley, who produced an outstanding performance against the defending champions, was substituted late on due to tightness in his hamstring.
Asked whether he knew the severity of the injuries, Slot said: “No, not yet. I know where they have pain, but how bad or how good, it’s difficult to judge so soon after a game.
“This is what happens during a season. We missed Trent (Alexander-Arnold), we missed (Diogo) Jota, we missed Alisson today. Trent was on the bench but couldn’t have started. Kostas (Tsimikas) we missed too.
“I’m really hoping that both of them (Konate and Bradley) will be available to play (against City) as we really want them available but if not then someone else will have to step up.
“So far this season everyone that I’ve selected to start has shown up. That will also happen on Sunday if they can’t play.”
GO DEEPER
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Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo scored the goals but Caoimhin Kelleher also made a vital contribution as he kept out Kylian Mbappe’s penalty when the score was 1-0. Mohamed Salah missed a spot kick for Liverpool before Gakpo’s header secured victory.
Alisson is nearing a return to action after injury and Slot has previously said that the Brazilian will be recalled when fully fit. Kelleher’s commanding recent form hasn’t changed his mind.
“Every decision that I have to make is a difficult one as we have so many quality players,” Slot added. “I’ve been clear about that situation. Tonight shouldn’t be about that, it should be about Caoimhin being so important for us.
“It was a big moment for him. When you see Mbappe behind the ball. Probably everyone thought, like when Mo stepped up at the other end, that it was going to go in.
“But he saved it. A special moment for Caoimhin. That should be the headline rather than what I was clear about a few weeks ago.
“I liked a lot of what I saw tonight. We controlled the first half but we were still a bit sloppy and lost the ball in some easy situations.
“We needed to be more patient and wait for the gaps to open up. In the first seven minutes after half-time we had total dominance. They didn’t get across the halfway line and after scoring a goal like that we were flying.”
(Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)
