Liverpool defender Konate hands Jurgen Klopp much-needed injury boost

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Liverpool have been handed good news on the injury front with centre-back Ibrahima Konate reportedly being given the ‘green light’ to return to the squad for the weekend’s fixture against Brighton. Jurgen Klopp has been unable to call on the Frenchman at all this season after he picked up an unfortunate knee injury during the pre-season friendly with Strasbourg in July. 

Konate has became a firm favourite of the Liverpool boss during his first season at Anfield, with Klopp regularly rotating him with the injury-prone Joel Matip to be Virgil Van Dijk’s partner. He has already racked up 29 appearances and scored three goals since his £36million move from RB Leipzig, with his form earning him his first caps for the national team. 

However, he has been unavailable for the duration of this campaign while Matip has also been missing, with the defence struggling as a result. They have conceded too many easy goals, particularly during the 4-1 Champions League drubbing by Napoli with replacement Joe Gomez particularly poor. The Cameroonian has since returned to the starting lineup to ease the situation but Klopp will be keen for Konate to return too.

Now, it appears the German has received a huge boost with the 23-year-old given the green light to return for Saturday’s match against Brighton, according to RMC Sport. He will also be available for the Reds’ huge Battle of Britain clash against Rangers in Europe as they look to regain control in their group. 

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Klopp has suffered a range of injury issues this season with midfield another area that has been particularly badly hit. Jordan Henderson, Thiago, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all missed parts of the season while new signing Arthur Melo has yet to reach full match fitness, leaving the team down to the bare bones in the centre of the park. 

There have also been issues in attacking areas with Diogo Jota missing much of the opening games through injury, while marquee signing Darwin Nunez missed three games through suspension. 

In better news, it appears that the club’s injury concerns are starting to ease at the end of the international break giving Klopp the opportunity of a fresh start to the season as he looks to turn his team’s fortunes around.

Konate should be joined by Henderson and a fully fit Thiago and Arthur for the Brighton match, increasing the options available and getting the squad closer to full fitness just in time for the intense fixture run ahead of the World Cup. 

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