Arne Slot has shared an injury update on Ibrahima Konate after the Liverpool star hobbled off during the huge win over Arsenal on Sunday.
And it could well have an effect on the outcome of the Marc Guehi transfer saga, as the Crystal Palace captain continues to be linked to Anfield.
Liverpool maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with a 1-0 home victory over Premier League title rivals Arsenal.
It was a largely drab affair but Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stunning free-kick in the 83rd minute to snatch the three points.
Just before the goal, Konate went down on the pitch and received treatment before limping off, with Joe Gomez taking his place.
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If the centre-back is injured it will be a big blow for the reigning champions, especially with first-choice right-back Jeremie Frimpong also sidelined.
But Slot has suggested the France international is not badly hurt, telling Sky Sports: ‘I think it was only cramp so I don’t think it was an injury. We have to find out in the upcoming games.’
Metro at the Match: Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
Metro at the Match returns to bring you all the analysis from the biggest games of the season.
Here’s were our team’s key takeways from Liverpool’s dramatic 1-0 win over Arsenal…
- Arsenal’s pursuit of Piero Hincapie looks especially timely after William Saliba was forced off after just five minutes. Cristhian Mosquera deputised well in the Frenchman’s absence, but Mikel Arteta must be pleased to have another reinforcement on the way – Ben Fleming, sports reporter
- One position Arsenal are still lacking in quality is the left wing. Gabriel Martinelli doesn’t quite know when to release the ball and was kept quiet by Dominic Szobozlai all game. If Martinelli can’t do it against someone who isn’t a proper right-back, who can he do it against? – Charlie Barclay, sports video journalist
- Sunday proved to be yet another quiet afternoon for Liverpool’s record signing, Florian Wirtz. The German is still yet to get to grips with Arne Slot’s system and has left the Reds’ midfield looking unbalanced as a consequence – Ben Fleming, sports reporter
- The potential signing of Marc Guehi appears to have finally jolted Ibrahima Konate into action. The French centre-back delivered his most assured performance of the season so far and dealt with the threat of Viktor Gyokeres with ease – Ben Fleming, sports reporter
- Arsenal found it difficult to create much yet again, constantly passing it backwards to David Raya, who was then forced to kick it long. Noni Madueke was the only outfield player who was bright on the day, but was dealt with impressively by Milos Kerkez – Charlie Barclay, sports video journalist
He later added in his post-match press conference: ‘He (Konate) thinks it’s cramp and I have no reason to doubt him. Although sometimes players talk about cramp and then we have a scan and it’s more than that.
‘Jeremie Frimpong wasn’t too happy, like some pundits, like some journalists, when I took him off against Bournemouth because “why did he do this if he only has cramp”. And he’s out for two or three weeks now.
‘On a positive note: Joe Gomez, phwoar, what a 15 minutes.
‘I had to make one difficult choice today because I had to leave one great player out of the squad. And the good thing was it was a centre-back, Giovanni Leoni, so we are perfectly placed in that position.’
Based on Slot’s comments, their need to bring another centre-back before Monday’s transfer deadline is not great but that won’t stop the links to Guehi.
Liverpool have made a £35million bid for the England star and Palace must decide in the next 24 hours whether to cash-in on the player who has one year left on his contract and has no intention of extending it.
It is said the Eagles want another £5m in add-ons and want to make sure they have an experienced replacement lined-up before they sell their captain.
Asked if he expected a busy deadline day, with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak also heavily linked with a move to Merseyside, Slot added: ‘Quite busy because I have to take a flight at two o’clock!
‘On a serious note, let’s wait and see. I haven’t spoken to (sporting director) Richard (Hughes) yet.
‘I don’t think it’s a surprise we are trying to see if we can strengthen the squad but if that isn’t possible we are more than happy to do that with this team.’
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