Ibrahima Konate is set to start for Liverpool against Rangers tonight as Jurgen Klopp deals with a couple of defensive injuries.
There’s just not rest for Liverpool at the moment and they are once again back in action tonight, taking on Rangers at Ibrox.
The Reds beat Rangers 2-0 at Anfield last week but then followed that up with a 3-2 defeat away at Arsenal on Sunday.
Klopp will be desperate for a response tonight but he is counting up the injuries sustained during that defeat in North London.
Ibrahima Konate is set to start for Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and Luis Diaz all picked up injuries against Arsenal and will miss tonight’s game against Rangers.
Alexander-Arnold’s absence means Joe Gomez is likely to deputise at right back.
With Gomez covering at right back, Liverpool will have to go with another option at centre back and that means a start for Ibrahima Konate.
The Frenchman came off the bench against Arsenal to replace Matip and The Athletic report that he will indeed start tonight’s game.
Nat Phillips was another option alongside Virgil van Dijk but it’s Konate who will allegedly get the nod in Liverpool’s back four.
Konate has been hailed as ‘fantastic’ by Van Dijk and their partnership showed real promise last season.
Yet it would be understandable if Konate was a little rusty heading into this trip to Ibrox.
Konate picked up an injury in pre-season and hasn’t been able to start a single game for Liverpool this season.
The 23-year-old has played just 21 minutes this term, and they came against Arsenal on Sunday.
It’s now a big ask for Konate to step straight into Champions League action but Klopp and Liverpool’s coaching staff seemingly believe that he can cope with the test.
The Frenchman is an outstanding talent and should be the leader of the Liverpool defence for years to come, with Matip’s injury offering him another chance to show that he is ready right now.
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