Ibrahima Konate has provided a timely update following Liverpool's 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth-round. The 25-year-old defender, who missed a large chunk of the festive period with a knee injury, was one of several players rested at the weekend.

Arne Slot made 10 changes, with only Caoimhín Kelleher keeping his place in the starting line-up. That said, the Reds still fielded a strong side, with Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz leading the frontline, while Harvey Elliott roamed in the middle of the park.

Joe Gomez replaced Konate in the backline, but he lasted no longer than a quarter of an hour. The 27-year-old defender, who had made his first appearance since picking up a hamstring issue in December, appeared to suffer a muscle injury and he was swiftly replaced by Isaac Mabaya.

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Speaking to reporters after the game, Slot was asked for an update on Gomez. The Liverpool boss said: "I am not too sure. I am not too sure if it was the same leg, but I haven't had time to ask him. It was clear, I think we all know which moment he felt a bit insecure about [it] because he didn't sprint back fully.

"Then he said, 'I am not 100 per cent sure and I am afraid if I make one extra sprint things will go wrong.' It's not torn I assume, but it didn't feel good for him. That was a bit of a blow because Curtis Jones was on the bench, but he came to me this morning and said, 'I don't think I am fully recovered yet' as well after the training session of yesterday.

"That all of a sudden led to the fact we were with a few more youngsters on the pitch than was the idea before the game, but still there was enough quality on the pitch to get a better result than this."

Fortunately for Slot, Konate appears ready to return to the starting lineup for the Merseyside derby at the weekend. On Monday night, the Liverpool defender posted a video of himself doing some coordination exercises on a balance dome at his home.

There was also a dumbbell and plate in the foreground of the shot, suggesting Konate had also done some resistance training. The 25-year-old defender, who sees his contract at Anfield expire in June 2026, will be a huge addition to Slot's side when Liverpool face Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.

Last month, the Reds boss was asked how good Konate could become. He said: "He's already very good. He's a centre-back who, without even touching the ball, is impressive because he is so strong and tall.

"One of the things he could improve is his play with the ball, bringing the ball out from the back. I would not say he was poor in that but he could improve and go to another level.

"He works really hard to improve that and I already see this improvement. Defensively, he is of the highest standard. He's fast, he's strong, he wins duels. He can cover for his team-mates as well if needed.

"Defensively, there is not a lot he can improve. From all the ball possession we have, we would like to create even more chances than we are doing now and that starts from bringing the ball out from the back."

Konate has recently entered the final 18 months of his contract and when asked by the BBC if he had been offered a new deal, he simply replied, 'yeah' and added it was 'another conversation'.