Liverpool have been dealt a major blow on transfer deadline day, as it has emerged that key defender Ibrahima Konate is set for a three-week spell on the sidelines through injury.
The Reds have endured a torrid January, with no midfield additions and an injury to Virgil Van Dijk combining to leave them winless in their last four games and out of the FA Cup courtesy of a late Kaoru Mitoma winner for Brighton.
OH. MY. WORD.@kaoru_mitoma with a late stunner for @OfficialBHAFC 🤯#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/R6bfaXSGVW
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 29, 2023
Now, they have been dealt a further blow as it emerged that French defender Konate suffered a hamstring strain and will be ruled out for up to three weeks, which will see him miss Premier League clashes with Wolves, Everton and Newcastle, and leaves him a major doubt for their first leg Champions League last 16 clash with Real Madrid.
It offers Klopp further headaches, with Dutch star Virgil Van Dijk also set to be sidelined until the middle of February with an injury of his own, and will leave Liverpool with Joe Gomez and Joel Matip as their defensive duo for the immediate future.
It also raises serious questions about their impending Champions League clash, with both central defenders set to be touch and go for the first leg, while continuous issues in midfield leave them seemingly vulnerable against Los Blancos, albeit with Carlo Ancelotti’s side struggling themselves in La Liga.
The Reds are not expected to add any new bodies between now and tonight’s deadline, but could be forced to bar any move for Nat Phillips, who has attracted interest from Galatasaray but could now be required to stay in the event of injuries to Gomez or Matip.
