Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury.
The France international appeared to hurt his knee in the closing stages of the 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The 25-year-old limped off the pitch after full time following a coming together involving team-mate Virgil van Dijk and Madrid striker Endrick.
Head coach Arne Slot told reporters at his pre-Manchester City press conference on Thursday that Konate was still being assessed, but the player took to Instagram a day later to address his situation.
“So frustrating to pick up this injury right at the end of a great game on Wednesday,” he wrote. “Now we start the recovery process but one thing I promise is I will come back and be the best I can be once again.”
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Konate had been in impressive form as part of a Liverpool backline which boasts the best defensive record in the Premier League, conceding only eight goals in 12 matches.
It is a significant blow for Slot who will now decide whether Joe Gomez or Jarell Quansah lines up alongside Van Dijk for the visit of City on Sunday.
That game kicks off a run of seven Premier League matches before the new year. They also face Girona in the Champions League and have an EFL Cup quarter-final with Southampton in December.
Why Gomez is the likeliest replacement
Konate’s absence is a significant blow. He has been in the form of his Liverpool career and his partnership with Van Dijk has been so important to Liverpool winning 16 of their opening 18 matches in all competitions, and topping both the Premier League and Champions League tables.
It is likely Slot will select Gomez to partner Van Dijk against Manchester City. The 27-year-old has only started at centre-back in Liverpool’s two Carabao Cup matches but has performed well and barely put a foot wrong.
His display when called upon at half time against Brighton & Hove Albion after Konate was taken off at half time due to injury was also excellent.
In 2022-23, Gomez was excellent up against Erling Haaland in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City, which may also play into Slot’s thinking.
Quansah has had a tougher start to the season. After a strong pre-season he began the campaign as Van Dijk’s first choice partner, but he was substituted at half time against Ipswich Town on the opening day of the season and since lost his place.
He has also started both Carabao Cup matches against West Ham and Brighton. While his general performance was positive, he scored an unfortunate own goal against the former. Against Brighton he lost possession for their first and their second deflected in off him.
(Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
