Konate using crutches at Man City clash signal lengthy absence

After suffering an injury late on in the Champions League clash against Real Madrid last week, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate was present as he watched his side win 2-0 over Man City. However, fans are concerned he could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he was seen using crutches whilst entering the stadium.
The Frenchman did not specify the timeline of his recovery when he announced that he was "frustrated to pick up this injury" via an Instagram post published two days before Sunday's Premier League match. He only limited himself to promising that he "will come back and be the best I can be once again".
Arne Slot spoke on the fitness condition of the 25-year-old, and also of injured Conor Bradley before facing City, as he said: "They will both be out for a few weeks. I have said many times before, it's always difficult to judge how many weeks this exactly is because you can think in the beginning it'll be like this and then the end stage of an injury process can always differ a bit. I don't think Kostas [Konate] will be with us in the upcoming week as well. These players that we have available now, it is important for them now – even more than normal – to stay fit".
As a result, Joe Gomez is very likely to start alongside captain Van Dijk again as Liverpool pay a visit to St. James' Park to go up against Newcastle midweek. Although Konate counts as a big miss for the Reds, the English defender looked comfortable against City as he made his first Premier League start in his preferred centre-back position since September 2023.