Liverpool have Joe Gomez worry behind Ibrahima Konate transfer as deal ‘pretty much done’

Liverpool: Klopp says team must improve for top-four finish

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Liverpool are reportedly concerned over the long-term fitness of Joe Gomez as they close in on the signing of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. A move for Konate to Jurgen Klopp’s side is said to be ‘pretty much done’ with the Premier League side reportedly fearing for Gomez following the knee injury which ruled him out for most of this season.

Gomez played just seven top-flight games this term before the defender suffered a patellar tendon rupture on England duty which required surgery and sidelined him for the rest of the campaign.

It was a huge blow to Liverpool, who had already lost talisman Virgil van Dijk to a knee injury, while Joel Matip was to follow his fellow centre-backs onto the treatment table and is similarly still to return.

The Reds look set to sign the highly-rated Konate in the summer transfer window as Klopp looks to ensure there is no repeat of the defensive shortage which ultimately led to his side’s failed title defence.

And it has been claimed that fears over Gomez’s fitness problems are part of the reason behind the signing – with his injury causing more concern than those of his defensive colleagues.

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Liverpool’s medical staff believe Gomez was at increased risk of suffering his particular injury partially due to his previous knee surgery, according to Anfield Central.

After joining the Reds from Charlton in July 2015, the centre-back was out for almost a year between October that year and June the following year due to an anterior cruciate ligament rupture which required surgery.

And club medics are said to believe that his ACL reconstruction in 2015 made him more susceptible to suffering a patellar tendon tear – although it is not possible to be certain.

Gomez, 23, recently returned to outdoor training at Kirkby – but having suffered both an ACL rupture and a tear of the patellar tendon, he will need to be kept under close watch to manage any potential fitness concerns.

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His pace is not expected to be affected once he returns to full fitness, although his injury may prove to have an impact on his ability to turn on his heels and chase attacking players.

Against that background, it is not hard to understand why Liverpool would look to sign 21-year-old centre-back Konate from Leipzig.

Klopp needs a long-term partner for Van Dijk, with Matip having his own well documented injury problems, and while Gomez is highly thought of, it will be crucial that he is not overloaded when he returns to action.

Earlier this week, European football expert Julien Laurens claimed a deal for Konate was “pretty much” done.

Laurens appeared on ESPN FC’s Extra Time show on Sunday evening alongside legendary Liverpool full-back Steve Nicol.

Asked by Nicol whether Konate to Liverpool was “a done deal”, Laurens replied: “Yeah pretty much, yeah Stevie pretty much, pretty much.

“They just have to pay the release clause and then I think they have an agreement with him and his agent for him to come over.

“I think this one will definitely happen this summer without a doubt.”

Konate is expected to cost around €40million (£34m).

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