Ibrahima Konate has hinted he will be available for Liverpool’s match against Manchester City on Saturday.
The centre-back was nowhere to be seen for the Reds’ routine Premier League victory over Brentford before the international break – a surprise to many as he had been rested for the entirety of the Europa League loss to Toulouse three days prior.
It turned out to be a reoccurrence of the hamstring problem that prevented the 24-year-old from linking up with his France team-mates last month, as national team boss Didier Deschamps provided clarity on the matter.
“He had tests, but it’s not serious,” said France manager Deschamps. “He needs a bit of time to not take any risks. It’s an area where he already has an injury.
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“It wasn’t in his interest or mine (to call him up). In the best case scenario, he could only have been available for training on Friday [November 17] or Saturday [November 18].”
This was a welcome statement for Liverpool supporters hoping to have their regular starter available for what is usually the toughest away trip of the season.
Now Konate – uploading to social media for the first time since before his latest injury – has backed up the suggestion he will be ready to face City at the Etihad Stadium in two days’ time.
This Instagram montage shows the Frenchman going through rigorous individual coaching and fitness exercises with a personal trainer, with a huge focus on extensions of that left leg he tweaked two weeks ago and running.
Accompanying the video was the caption “No days off. Big week incoming #YNWA,” further hinting he is in contention for the top-of-the-table clash, as per Deschamps’ wisdom last week.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is scheduled to sit down in front of the media for the first time since the international break started on Friday at 12:00pm, where further clarity on Konate’s circumstances is expected. You can follow updates from the AXA Training Centre here live on the ECHO website.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
