Ibrahima Konaté injury confirmed: How long with the defender be out and what games will he miss?

While Liverpool players were basking in the glow of beating the reigning European champions, celebrating a 2-0 home win over Real Madrid on Wednesday night, one member of the team was unable to.

After the final whistle was blown at Anfield, Ibrahima Konaté remained on the floor receiving treatment. The French centre-back came off worst as he backtracked with Van Dijk, shielding the ball from Endrick in the last move of the match. Unfortunately, as the Madrid player tussled to win the ball, Konaté ended up in a heap on the floor with the Madrid player on top of him.

After being attended to by Liverpool’s medical staff, Ibou struggled to get to his feet and grimaced in pain as he hobbled off unaided by clearly in pain.

“Ibou didn’t walk off the pitch as he should after such a fantastic game that he played,” Slot told reporters in Thursday’s press conference while Konaté and Conor Bradley were both undergoing tests. “He should have taken a lap of honor and clapped the fans but unfortunately he couldn‘t, so that’s not a good sign”.

What knee injury did Konaté suffer?

Slots worst fears were confirmed this evening by the player himself, who took to Instagram to give an update:

“So frustrating to pick up this injury right at the end of a great game on Wednesday night. Now we start the recovery process but one thing I promise is I will come back and be the best I can be once again. Thank you for the amazing support at Anfield. Inshallah we will keep going and I will support the team every step of the way.”

While Konaté offered no specific details about his injury and the club has yet to issue a medical report, from what he wrote, it’s clear that he will be out for a while. According to some reports, the defender will be out of action for between five to six weeks which indicates some sort of ligament damage to his right knee.

Tough games: City, Newcastle, Everton...

More details will emerge but for now, Slot will be without one of his first choice centre-backs for the most challenging run of games his side have faced so far this season.

First up are City at home, followed by Newcastle at St James Park followed by a trip across the park to face Everton three days later for what could well be the final Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison.

Girona next in Europe

Slot’s team is well placed in the Champions League and have three games left in the league phase, of which, Konaté will miss one - the trip to Girona on 10 December.

Then there are the domestic cups. The Dutch manager will have to reshuffle his back four for the EFL Carabao Cup quarter final against Southampton on 18 December and perhaps for the team’s opening tie in the FA Cup, slated for 11 January. Liverpool will find out who they will face in the Third Round when the draw takes place on Monday evening (2 December).

In the meantime, Joe Gomez will step up to partner Van Dijk while Ibou is recovering. The versatile defender has been in a similar position many times although he has seen limited action so far this season with just two starts - both in the Carabao Cup, and a total of eight appearances between the Premier League and Champions League.

Jarell Quansah is another option for Slot as the games start to come thick and fast. The 21-year-old started the season opener against Ipswich and played alongside Gomez in the Carabao Cup ties against West Ham and Brighton.