Liverpool suffer further setback as Konate adds to injury problems
Liverpool have been dealt another defensive blow after centre-back Ibrahima Konate was ruled out for up to three weeks with a hamstring injury.
With Virgil van Dijk not expected to return from a similar problem for at least a fortnight, it leaves Jürgen Klopp short of options and is likely to scupper any potential deadline-day move for Nat Phillips.
Konate was injured in Sunday’s FA Cup exit at Brighton, and it is understood he will likely miss upcoming matches against Wolves, Everton and Newcastle United.
There are doubts over whether he will be ready for the UEFA Champions League visit of Real Madrid on February 21.
Liverpool recalled 21-year-old centre-back Rhys Williams from a loan spell with English Championship side Blackpool last week to cover the possibility of the 25-year-old Phillips leaving in this window.
Phillips has made just five appearances this season.
While Liverpool had no intention of pushing him out of the door, there was a belief he could move on with some clubs interested in him.
However, Konate’s injury makes that scenario highly unlikely, with Joe Gomez and Joel Matip being Klopp’s only two fit senior centre-backs.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Benue deputy governor demands justice for suspected killer herders’ victims
The deputy governor assured the people that the state government was committed to the protection of lives and property.
NationWide
NDLEA intercepts South African woman with 5.75 kg of heroin hidden in luggage at Abuja airport
Mr Babafemi said the suspect concealed 14 large blocks of heroin weighing 5.75kg in her luggage.
Politics
Opposition can’t unseat Tinubu in 2027; they’re in total disarray: APC Chieftain
Mr Bello dismissed reports of an emerging opposition coalition, insisting that the parties remained fragmented.
States
Ex-AGF Michael Aondoakaa mourns victims of Benue killings, demands action to end bloodshed
He said the latest killings highlighted the continued vulnerability of communities in Benue to violent attacks.
Africa
ICPC urges African leaders to scale up fight against anti-corruption
According to him, integrity, transparency, and the rule of law remain the foundation for sustainable development, democratic governance and economic growth in Africa.
Lagos
Lagos urges anti-harassment policies to protect women, workers
She noted that women accounted for more than 90 per cent of the reported workplace harassment cases.
