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Ibrahima Konate injury latest as physio offers possible timeline after Arne Slot update

tom malley
·2-min read
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Ibrahima Konate could be out for 'four to six weeks' in a worst case scenario if he requires surgery on an injury sustained against Brighton on Saturday.

The Reds defender was forced to withdraw at half-time of the 2-1 victory after leaving the pitch in agony with his arm in a makeshift sling, having fallen awkwardly from a corner that led to Virgil van Dijk treading on his arm.

A closer inspection of the collision sees the Liverpool captain place his foot on Konate's wrist, leading to fears the Frenchman may have fractured or broken it and will be out for an extended period of time.

Following the game, Reds head coach Arne Slot said that he is waiting to discover just how severe the injury is, with further assessment from the club's medical team set to determine whether Konate faces a spell on the sidelines.

However, a football injury analyst (@physioscout) has since suggested this could well be the case, having explained a couple of potential scenarios that Liverpool could be facing with regard to the 25-year-old's injury.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the account wrote: "Virgil van Dijk was seen stepping on Konate's wrist. This brings concern for a wrist/forearm fracture as the worst case scenario. If he's lucky it could only be a bony contusion/bruise.

"If it's confirmed to be a wrist fracture, he would likely need surgery on it. Possible that he avoids surgery if the wrist area is stable."

If it is a case of the latter, then the injury expert claims Konate would be out for around a week to allow the issue to resolve, meaning he would be unlikely to feature again before the international break.

If it is a fracture and Konate requires surgery, then the France international could be facing up to six weeks on the sidelines, which would be a major blow to Slot and Liverpool. There is also the risk of the recovery time "extending slightly" if it's a "complicated fracture".

The physio went on to add: “Was previously worried that he injured it when falling onto an outstretched arm, or him slapping away the defender. However, it’s likely that it happened here when VVD stepped on him.”

An update can be expected in the coming hours and days as Liverpool looks to address and resolve the situation quickly as it faces one of its star performers so far this season being out for a considerable amount of time.