Ibrahima Konate appears to suffer injury; Jurgen Klopp has update

Ibrahima Konate appears to have suffered an injury playing for Liverpool against Sparta Prague. The Reds face Manchester City this weekend.

Ibrahima Konate went off early for Liverpool against Sparta Prague on Thursday evening. The defender started the game and played beyond half-time - something that quickly looked like a disastrous decision.

After all, Liverpool face Manchester City at the weekend and will want Konate starting at the back. His early exit, however, was a real blow.

And that came on the back of Joe Gomez leaving at half-time. It wasn't apparent whether that was a problem or simply a planned substitution. Injuries to both defenders would leave Liverpool incredibly short at the weekend.

Fortunately, it seems both should be okay. Jurgen Klopp shared an immediate update after the 5-1 win where he claimed it was more precaution than anything.

"Ibou said to me 'if I do another sprint, [the injury] could be set'," said Klopp, per Paul Gorst. "Should be fine but we don't know.

"Joe Gomez is fine - played a lot, rotation. So let's see with Ibou."

Ibrahima Konate should be okay

Liverpool have their biggest game of the season on Sunday and maintaining fitness through this Europa League tie was vital. The Reds wanted to win - and preferably emphatically - while taking few risks.

Konate was the one doubt. Virgil van Dijk, Conor Bradley, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah all played limited minutes in the game. All six should be ready to start against Man City.

But an injury to Konate, let alone both him and Gomez, would have left Liverpool right up against it. Jarell Quansah would have been drafted in, despite playing 90 minutes here.

The Reds appear to be fine, however, and everyone now have a few days of recovery ahead of  the massive clash. Fingers crossed Konate is as well as Klopp understands.