PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
Liverpool’s thrilling 2-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League has been marred by injury concerns for two of the team’s key players.
Persecondnews reports that Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley both picked up injuries during the match, leaving manager Arne Slot sweating on their fitness ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.
Konate, who has been an integral part of Liverpool’s defense this season, hurt his knee after a challenge from Endrick in the closing stages of the game.
The French center-back needed treatment on the field after the final whistle before getting back to his feet and hobbling off, Bradley, on the other hand, impressed at right-back, successfully stifling superstar attacker Kylian Mbappe.
However, he had to be replaced with three minutes to go by Joe Gomez after feeling tightness in his hamstring.
Slot is already dealing with injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Alisson, and Kostas Tsimikas, and the Dutchman is now sweating on the status of Konate and Bradley ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster game with struggling Premier League Champions Manchester City.
Asked whether he knew the severity of the duo’s injuries, Slot said: “No, not yet. I know where they have pain, but how bad or how good, it’s difficult to judge so soon after a game.”
The Liverpool boss hailed Bradley’s performance up against World Cup winner Mbappe, saying: “I think it’s nice for him, nice for his family, nice for us, but it’s also very nice for the Academy, that a player that comes through the ranks at the Academy does so well.”
Slot also applauded the performances of other young players, including Caoimh and Curtis Jones, saying: “Probably all of them were outstanding, but to have three Academy players in your team doing so well is also a big compliment for the Academy this club has.”
Liverpool have confirmed that both Konate and Bradley need to be assessed by the club’s medical team before Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.
The Reds are already facing a tough challenge against Pep Guardiola City, and the loss of two key players could make the task even more difficult.
Slot is remaining optimistic, however, saying: “We missed Trent today, we missed Jota today, we missed Alisson today. We didn’t miss Trent because he was on the bench, but he couldn’t play from the start, but Kostas we missed.
“I am really hoping both of them are available to play because we want them all available.”
The Liverpool manager is confident that his team can cope with the injuries, saying, “but if not, someone else has to step up, and until now, this season, everybody that I have selected to start has shown up.
“That’s also what is going to happen on Sunday, if they can play, but also if they can’t play, then other ones will step up.”
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