Ibrahima Konate may very well be again in motion earlier than the tip of the month, with the Liverpool centre-back’s restoration course of shorter than maybe first feared.
Konate has been out since struggling a knee damage on the finish of the 2-0 win over Actual Madrid on November 27, lacking the final three video games to this point.
The Frenchman was reported to have averted severe injury however Arne Slot solid doubt over his involvement for the rest of the 12 months together with each Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas.
Nevertheless, there’s now a hope that Konate may very well be again concerned earlier than the tip of December, which might be a significant enhance for Liverpool.
Liverpool journalist David Lynch, whose work could be adopted on Substack, offered a promising replace after the 25-year-old returned to work within the gymnasium unaided.
“He’s not in a knee brace now, in order that’s encouraging,” Lynch instructed Anfield Agenda.
“It sort of tallies with what I stated, that it’s not fairly that five-to-six weeks that was touted.
“There’s an actual hope that he could be again earlier than that.
“So hopefully again finish of December we’ll see him, slightly than into January, and what a lift that will likely be to get him straight again as effectively.”
When Konate may return
Liverpool play 5 extra occasions earlier than the tip of the month, beginning with the go to of Fulham to Anfield on Saturday.
After that comes a visit to Southampton within the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday evening and an away conflict with Tottenham subsequent Sunday, with it seemingly Konate misses all three of these video games.
However Lynch’s replace means that the France worldwide may turn into obtainable between Christmas and New 12 months when Liverpool face Leicester at house (December 26) and West Ham away (December 29).
Slot has most well-liked Joe Gomez as companion to Virgil van Dijk in Konate’s absence and there’s no indication that may change till he’s again.
There have been encouraging indicators from the No. 2 regardless of a hit-and-miss show towards Newcastle, which suggests there’s much less have to rush Konate’s return.
• READ: Gomez explains how shut he was to leaving Liverpool in the summertime
Nonetheless, having him again concerned earlier than the tip of the 12 months can be an enormous constructive as Liverpool look to proceed their excellent season into 2025.
