Per James Pearce of The Athletic, Ibrahima Konaté is expected to return for Liverpool FC’s home game against Newcastle United this weekend.
“Ibrahima Konate should be back from compassionate leave in time for Saturday, while Gomez has an outside chance of being fit and Curtis Jones is likely to have recovered from illness.”
The prospect of Konaté returning will be a boon for a Liverpool backline in a full-blown injury crisis. Konate will at least give the Reds two centre-backs to field. There’s still
the problem of finding someone to play right-back, but baby steps.
Ibou has been away on compassionate leave after the passing of his father, missing the 3-0 win against Marseille, the 2-3 defeat to Bournemouth, and the 6-0 victory against Qarabag.
Head coach Arne Slot was empathetic before the Qarabag game, saying:
“Of course I spoke to him. If you ask why he is not here, we both understand that he is facing a very tough time. I am hoping to get him back, but also not for tomorrow evening’s match.”
Konaté’s return should hopefully help against a Newcastle team that loves turning games into physical contests.
