"We don't think it's massive" - Jurgen Klopp provides injury update on Liverpool star
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has provided an update on Ibrahima Konate's muscle injury. The French defender suffered a knock in the Reds' FA Cup fourth round exit to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday (January 29).
Konate has been in good form for Klopp's side this season, featuring in ten games across competitions and helping keep three clean sheets. That's despite the Merseysiders enduring a difficult campaign.
The injury is the latest fitness problem the Frenchman has suffered this season. He joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 for £36 million. Klopp has commented on Konate's injury, saying that the setback is not too impactful (via Liverpool Echo):
"Ibou has a muscle injury, and we don't think it's massive. After the game I asked him, and he said it was okay. Then treatment, scan and out. It's not cool. Joey (Gomez) and Joel (Matip) played together before, so not massive problem but not perfect."
Ibrahima Konaté has played 22 games for Liverpool:
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Konate joins Virgil van Dijk as the latest defender to face a spell sidelined. The latter has been out of action since January 2 after suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-1 defeat to Brentford.
Liverpool face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (February 4) at Molineaux, hoping to propel themselves up the Premier League table. They're ninth, trailing fourth-placed Manchester United by ten points.
Liverpool boss urged to beat Arsenal to sign Declan Rice
West Ham captain Declan Rice has become one of the Premier League's most admired midfielders. He has made 221 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 11 goals and providing 12 assists. The Englishman was appointed the west London club's captain at the start of the season.
However, he has been unable to help turn around West Ham's dismal campaign around, as they sit a lowly 16th in the Premier League. Speculation has grown over the 24-year-old departing the London Stadium in the summer. Arsenal and Chelsea are known admirers of Rice.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has urged Klopp to beat the two London rivals to Rice's signing. He told talkSPORT that he would try to sign the English midfielder and his compatriot Jude Bellingham:
“I don’t think they just need one; I think they probably need two. I’d go for Bellingham and Rice."
Murphy added:
“I’d try and get them both. Why not? Go hard or go home on two big signings, rather than four or five. Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham walking into that midfield with Thiago. … that’s exciting.”
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Rice is thought to be valued at around £85 million, per football.london, and his contract with the Hammers expires in 2024.