Liverpool enjoyed a near perfect evening in the Europa League as they battered Sparta Prague 5-1 this evening.
The night looked like being an awkward one against a Sparta side who are well used to winning at home. But despite some poor moments, including a ‘strange’ own goal for Conor Bradley, the Reds came through comfortably.
One blot on the night though was the sight of Ibrahima Konate coming off injured early in the second-half. With so many present issues and Manchester City to come on Sunday, that was the last thing Liverpool needed.
So, with Jurgen Klopp facing the press post-game, all anyone wanted to know was how is Ibou. Thankfully, journalist Ian Doyle has provided quotes from Klopp via X, and, luckily, it doesn’t sound too bad.
“Ibou said to me ‘if I do another sprint, it could be set’. Should be fine but we don’t know,” said the Liverpool manager, before also giving an update on Joe Gomez, who was taken off at half-time.
“Joe Gomez is fine, played a lot, rotation. So let’s see with Ibou.”
Klopp gives encouraging Konate update
This certainly could have been a lot worse. For all the world it had looked like Konate had pulled a hamstring chasing back into position.
Now, Klopp’s words don’t rule that out, but it seems as though the French defender just caught the problem before it became one.
With just three days before City come to town though, we’d still be surprised to see Konate out there at Anfield on Sunday.
Of course, whether he is or not will depend on the results of scans over the next day or two. But given how Liverpool have suffered with injury reoccurrences this season, it would be wise to let Ibou rest up properly.
There’s still a long way to go in the campaign. Yes, the result of Sunday’s game could be crucial, but there’s lots to play for besides. We need Konate fit and ready for the run in.
Had Gomez also sustained a knock, then things would have been a little more desperate. But with Joe seemingly fine, we have a ready made replacement to face City.
Liverpool would have preferred to take on the champions with their first choice pairing no doubt. Konate would surely have relished the challenge of shackling Erling Haaland, too.
But Gomez has been brilliant this season and is a fine understudy. This is a shame, but it sounds like we might have just got away with it.