Jurgen Klopp has delivered important injury updates about Ibrahim Konate, Curtis Jones and Naby Keita ahead of their season-opener against Fulham on August 6. While Konate sustained a knock during Liverpool’s last game against Strasbourg, Jones and Keita were overall missing from the squad. Liverpool were fresh from their Community Shield win against City where Keita and Jones featured off the bench.
The Liverpool boss would certainly feeling some pressure since Konate and Jones have been crucial to the team. Konate was taken-off just before the hour mark as he limped off the pitch before being escorted down the tunnel for further assessment. While Klopp has options ready to cover for Konate’s absence, he may fell short in the midfielder department if Jones and Keita sit out for long.
Jurgen Klopp feels hopeful of having Konate back for Fulham trip
Speaking of Konate’s knock, the German sounded hopeful of having him in his squad for the trip to Fulham. Klopp said, “We don’t know exactly yet on Ibou [Ibrahim Konate], but it doesn’t look too concerning, so I hope we caught it in the right moment,” of the the center-back’s injury.
Konate could make the bench for the Premier League opener as suggest the words of the Reds’ boss. The 23-year-old defender arrived from RB Leipzig last summer for a fee of £36 million. Konate was paired alongside Virgil van Dijk in the defense last season which reaped positive results for the Merseyside club.
Meanwhile, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez could be called into action to cover for the France international. Both Matip and Gomez were out for majority of the last season owning to injuries. The duo returned fully fit to the club’s preseason and could start in Konate’s absence.
Jurgen Klopp further talked about Curtis Jones and Naby Keita who were reportedly ill and missed the Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Strasbourg. The manager explained he acted on the advice of the medical staff to keep out Jones out of action after the City win.
“Naby is ill and Curtis felt a little bit and we couldn’t take any risks,” said Klopp. “Curtis, we have to see. [There] was no impact or whatever, so that always makes it a bit, ‘My god, what could it be?’ We had no time; he felt it today and he wanted to play desperately, but then the medical department said no and that we needed to make further tests. We will do that tomorrow and then we will know more.”
Jurgen Klopp would have to do with only Jordan Henderson, Thiago, Fabinho and James Milner as midfield options if Jones and Keita do not make it in time for the Fulham clash. The Reds have long felt a lack of depth in their midfield and are looking to reinforce it this summer. Furthermore, forgotten man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita could also be on the move in order to create space for new signings.