Jurgen Klopp is set to hand Ibrahima Konate his first start of the season for Liverpool tonight.
That’s according to the Liverpool Echo, who claim that the Frenchman is ‘likely’ to come into the side for the injured Joel Matip.
Konate made his long-awaited return from injury with a twenty-minute cameo against Arsenal on Sunday. But with Matip now reportedly out for the next fortnight at least, the 23-year-old is in-line for 90 minutes at Ibrox.
Another option for Matip’s slot would have been Joe Gomez. But with Trent Alexander-Arnold also down with injury, the Echo claim Gomez will fill in at right-back instead.
No time for Konate to get up to speed
As Liverpool brace themselves for another mini-injury crisis, Konate’s return is a timely one.
The young centre-back had ended last season in fine form, culminating in an excellent showing in the Champions League final.
Klopp will hope that some of that form can be rekindled as Liverpool try to steady the ship.
If Sunday’s showing at the Emirates is anything to go by, then Konate may need a little time. Although he wasn’t especially poor, he did contribute to the mess that surrounding Arsenal’s penalty decision.
After over two months out, some rustiness is understandable. It took Konate a short while to get going in a Liverpool shirt and perhaps we shouldn’t expect to see the dominating player on show last Spring for a few weeks at least.
Unfortunately for Ibou though, Liverpool don’t have that time. Their shocking start to the season means that they can’t afford to be carrying any passengers.
Klopp may have preferred to keep the more experienced Matip in as the Reds ride the waves of their early season form. But that option has now been taken away from him.
There is a reason why Konate was labelled ‘ridiculous’ by Trent Alexander-Arnold, though. He’s a special talent. If last week’s game is anything to go by, this could be a nice game to be reintroduced into as a Liverpool defender. But this is Ibrox, this could be different. Best of luck, Ibou.
