Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed that he doesn’t expect returning defender Ibrahima Konate to play against Tottenham, as he makes his way back from injury.

The defender has been out of action since the end of November due to a knee injury. He has, however, been named in the starting line-up for the Premier League clash against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

While Liverpool are in action, Spurs will already be preparing for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. The two teams meet in the competition at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday night (8.00pm kick-off).

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Despite his comeback from injury, Slot has already confirmed that he is not planning on turning to Konate for the match vs Spurs.

“I think he is on the schedule we expected him to be and I don't think he is able to play two games this week so he is playing this one,” he told Sky Sports before the game. “I can tell you now almost that it would be a surprise if he plays the Tottenham game.

“So he is in a situation where he is ready to play one game a week and hopefully quite soon he can play the midweek game as well but don't expect him to play against Tottenham.”

Konate was a key player for Liverpool in the early part of the season before his injury. He featured in all 12 Premier League matches bbefore picking up the problem.

For Spurs, they will be hoping from some relief on the injury front themselves. Radu Dragusin and Fraser Forster could recover from illness, while Rodrigo Bentancur returns from suspension.