Ibrahima Konate’s return to training has given Jurgen Klopp a major injury boost ahead of Saturday’s early Premier League kickoff match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, per The Athletic.
Since the Reds’ 3-1 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield, Konate has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Prior to the international break, Liverpool’s triumphs over Newcastle United and Aston Villa were played without the 24-year-old.
Before developing an injury, he started the first two league games of the season. Despite this, the Merseysiders have had a strong start to the new season, collecting 10 out of a possible 12 points after just four games.
For the 2024 Euro qualifiers, Konate was a member of the France squad, however he was eventually dropped.
He continued his rehabilitation treatment at the AXA Training Center and it appears that he made significant progress over the international break.
In preparation for their match against Wolves, Klopp will be hoping to have the former RB Leipzig defender back in his squad. Konate trained with the rest of his Liverpool colleagues on Thursday.
Virgil van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool, will not play after accepting a one-game suspension and a £100,000 fine for acting improperly after getting sent off in the 2-1 victory over Newcastle United.
big boost
With vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to miss the Wolves encounter, Konate’s return will allay Klopp’s defensive concerns.
The 24-year-old had a slight injury.
Alexander-Arnold has started all four of Liverpool’s league games so far this season as a regular for the club. Liverpool will suffer a great loss without him because of his exceptional defensive and offensive performances.
As Konate and Matip are likely to play together in the middle of defense, Gomez, who stood out against Villa, is anticipated to start at right-back against Gary O’Neil’s team.
Since transferring to Liverpool in 2021, Konate has been constrained by injury. In 55 appearances in all competitions, the Frenchman has contributed to four goals. He participated in 24 games for the Reds in all competitions last season.
Read more: As Klopp seeks to continue his rebuild, Liverpool faces competition to secure a £45 million target.
