Some Liverpool fans have been reacting on social media to reports by The Athletic, claiming Jurgen Klopp will hand Ibrahima Konate his debut against Crystal Palace or Norwich City.
The Reds will look to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season against Patrick Vieira’s Eagles this Saturday. Crystal Palace visit Anfield striving to claim a second big scalp in seven-days, after beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 last weekend.
Liverpool have won each of their previous eight top-flight meetings with Crystal Palace, last dropping points when beaten in 2017. Klopp may try to extend that record by unleashing Konate for his debut after a £36m move from RB Leipzig.
Liverpool triggered Konate’s Leipzig’s release clause and he proved to be the only addition to Klopp’s squad this summer. The German is yet to field his £70k-a-week signing, however, with the Frenchman consistently left an unused substitute so far.
But Klopp is now likely to award Konate his first minutes for Liverpool against either Crystal Palace or Norwich. The Reds visit the Canaries next Tuesday in the Carabao Cup, with the German considering changes for either game.
Virgil van Dijk is likely to come back into the backline after Klopp rested the Dutchman in the Champions League. Joe Gomez came in to partner league ever-present Joel Matip at home to AC Milan. Wednesday night’s encounter marked Gomez’s first start of the term.
Liverpool fans react to Klopp considering Konate debut
But some Liverpool fans reacting on social media now want to see Konate come in beside Van Dijk against Crystal Palace, with Klopp considering handing the 22-year-old his debut.
A few believe Matip now deserves a rest after his ever-present start, like Klopp gave Van Dijk in midweek. Others, however, would prefer and some expect the Reds boss to stick with Van Dijk and Matip together. With Konate and Gomez kept fit to face Norwich instead.
So, here are some of the messages Liverpool fans shared in response to Klopp weighing up Konate making his debut…
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