Under pressure Liverpool head coach Arne Slot faces fresh selection problems after Ibrahima Konate missed their open training session before Wednesday night’s clash against Marseille
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has returned to France for family reasons and is a doubt for the crunch Champions League clash with Marseille, according to reports. The centre-back was absent from the Reds’ open training session at their training ground in Kirkby but it remains to be seen whether he will join his teammates in France before tomorrow’s clash.
Arne Slot is facing increasing pressure after their 1-1 draw with Burnley meant that they failed to beat any of the Premier League newcomers for the first time since 1981. The Dutchman has come underfire as the Reds sit way off pace-setters Arsenal and find themselves in the battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League, as well as progressing in this season’s tournament.
Liverpool travel to Marseille to take on Roberto De Zerbi’s side, needing a point to secure their place in the playoff positions. However, the six-time winners will want to finish in the top eight and avoid the extra matches in the competition.
However, they may have to do so without Konate. The France international was a notable absentee from their open training session on Tuesday and it has been reported that he has returned to his homeland for personal reasons.
The Athletic’s James Pearce tweeted: “Ibrahima Konate back in France for family reasons. Remains to be seen whether he links up with the squad in Marseille.”
Liverpool are already weathering depleted defensive numbers with Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley sidelined for the remainder of the season after both players suffered serious knee injuries.
Konate had deputised alongside captain Virgil van Dijk for the majority of the season but the limited options at Anfield has left the Reds teetering on the edge of a crisis at the back.
Joe Gomez has been forced to spend time on the sidelines at different points in the season but he was in training on Tuesday and could be used as Konate’s replacement. But Liverpool will have to be careful after managing his minutes since he was forced off after 26 minutes against Brighton & Hove Albion on December 13.
Since then, he has managed 62 minutes across three matches – the lion’s share coming in last Monday’s FA Cup win over Barnsley. But he was an unused substitute for Saturday’s draw with the Clarets.
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