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Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley will continue to be assessed ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City on Sunday after picking up injuries during the 2-0 win over Real Madrid.
Konate and Bradley excelled defensively against the European champions – with the Northern Ireland international winning his duel against Kylian Mbappe – and their injuries were the only negative on a memorable night for Arne Slot’s side at Anfield.
Liverpool extended their perfect record in Europe season with a fifth win from five games as the Reds defeated holders Real Madrid for the first time since 2009.
And a big week for Slot’s team continues on Sunday, when Liverpool will host struggling Manchester City with the chance to go 11 points clear of the champions with a victory at Anfield.
Bradley was withdrawn late in the second half against Madrid, appearing to feel his hamstring, while Konate was seen walking uneasily at full-time as captain Virgil van Dijk looked concerned.
Slot spoke to the media on Thursday and said Bradley and Konate still have to be monitored ahead of the City match but did not rule either out and confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is fit to start.
“They are still being assessed so it is difficult to know where they are,” Slot said.
“Let’s wait and see but it’s never a good sign if players – Conor I had to take him off and Ibou didn’t walk off the pitch as he should after such a fantastic game. He should have made a round and clapped to the fans but unfortunately he couldn’t so that’s not a good sign.
“They are still being assessed. It’s so close after the game and I just came off the training pitch, so I can’t tell you where they are,” Slot added. “Trent will be fit to start.”
Slot did not know the extent of the injuries after beating Madrid but told a post-match press conference. “I know where they have pain, but how bad or how good it is is difficult to judge so close after the game.”
If Bradley is ruled out against City, Liverpool are likely to welcome back Alexander-Arnold, with the vice-captain returning to the bench against Real Madrid.
Slot’s replacements have often impressed this season with Caoimhin Kelleher once again filling in for Alisson Becker and saving Mbappe’s penalty in the second half.
“This is what happens during a season,” Slot said on injuries. “We missed Trent today, we missed Jota today, we missed Alisson today. We didn’t miss Trent because he was on the bench, but he couldn’t play from the start, but Kostas [Tsimikas] we missed.
“This happens through a season. I am really hoping both of them [Konate and Bradley] are available to play because we want them all available, but if not someone else has to step up and until now this season everybody that I [have] selected to start has shown up.
“That’s also what is going to happen on Sunday, if they can play but also if they can’t play then other ones will step up.”
