Ibrahima Konate confirms injury blow but issues warning to Liverpool’s Premier League rivals

Ibrahima Konate could be out until the New Year after suffering an injury on Wednesday night, talkSPORT understands.

The Liverpool defender was at his best to help shut out Real Madrid in a 2-0 victory for the Reds, but appeared to suffer a knee injury late in the game.

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Konate tangled with Real’s young Brazilian winger Endrick, which left him lying prone on the turf.

And while he ultimately was able to complete the 90 minutes, the French man mountain has now confirmed he is set for a spell on the sidelines.

Reports have suggested Konate is facing between five and six weeks out of action.

However, talkSPORT sources understand Liverpool are hoping he will back in contention before the end of that timeframe.

Konate has taken to social media, writing: “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.”

It means that the defender could miss as many as 11 matches for Liverpool, starting with this weekend’s crunch clash with Man City.

The news will be a huge blow to Liverpool after Martin Keown hailed him as the best defender in the Premier League.

He told talkSPORT: “What I do see at Liverpool is Konate being quite outstanding, he’s probably gone ahead of Van Dijk.

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“The way that he gets tight to people, his mobility, his confidence, every area of the game, he’s looking quite awesome.

“They’ve hardly conceded any goals this season, I know it’s about a partnership.

“But he looks like he’s coming out of the shadow at Van Dijk, so Konate is probably the best one for me.”