Injury News: Liverpool boosted by return of 23-year-old star before Brighton clash

Liverpool handed major injury boost with Ibrahima Konate return

French media outlet RMC Sport via SussexLive writes that Liverpool have got a major injury boost ahead of the Brighton and Hove Albion fixture with French defender Ibrahima Konate in contention to play against the Seagulls.

In a friendly against Strasbourg back in August, the 23-year-old centre-back saw himself walk off the pitch early in the second half owing to an injury. As a result, he’s not been a part of Liverpool’s campaign since.

Liverpool’s league campaign has not gone on to the best of starts, with the Reds winning only two of six games. Defensively, they’ve been a bit all over the place. Virgil van Dijk has not been in the best of forms, and it is the case with the rest of the defence as well.

With Konate back in the reckoning to feature against the Seagulls at Anfield on 1 October, the situation provides a breath of fresh air in Ibou. A change in the backline might be able to trigger a positive change in the Reds’ campaign.

However, the defence has not been the biggest problem for the Reds this season. Inconsistent performances in midfield have been the root cause of issues. Deadline day signing Arthur Melo is also in contention to play against Sussex, with the Brazilian putting in efforts to regain match fitness.

Konate on the other hand played his last competitive game for the Reds back in May against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Final. Additionally, he was on the bench in Liverpool’s win against Manchester City in the FA Community Shield Final.

Brighton are in a phase of transition with former manager Graham Potter moving to Chelsea. This game would be Roberto De Zerbi’s first game as Brighton manager.

Hence, it gives Liverpool a good opportunity to take on a relatively unsettled side under a new manager and get their season back on track. On the contrary, they could have that ‘new manager bounce’ that we would have to be wary of.

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Luckily, we could have Konate in contention for the game and that always is a boost for the manager as it lets him choose who he wants to partner with the imperious, near-flawless Van Dijk.