- Liverpool maintained their 100 per cent record in Champions League with the win
- Konate looked close to tears as he limped off after the final whistle on Wednesday
- Liverpool correspondent LEWIS STEELE tells all on bombshell chat with Mo Salah – LISTEN NOW to It’s All Kicking Off! New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Arne Slot has admitted that the injuries sustained by Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley during their Champions League win over Real Madrid are ‘difficult to judge’ just four days ahead of their Premier League showdown with Manchester City.
Liverpool have been left sweating over the fitness of the pair after Konate limped off after the final whistle of their 2-0 win, while Bradley appeared to suffer a hamstring injury in the 87th minute.
The Frenchman produced another stellar performance on a glorious night for Slot‘s side, who thoroughly outclassed the defending champions at Anfield. But victory, which ensured they remain the only side in the competition with a 100 per cent record, came at a price just days ahead of their clash with Pep Guardiola’s side.
When asked if he knew the extent of their injuries, the Dutchman replied: ‘No. Not yet. We know now where they have pain but it’s difficult to judge so close after the game.
‘This is what happens in the season. This happens. I’m really hoping both of them are available to play [Sunday] but if not, somebody else has to step up and so far everybody has stepped up so far this season.’
Konate looked to be close to tears after a coming-together with Madrid forward Endrick left him needing assistance to leave the field after the final whistle.
The Reds host an out-of-sorts City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon where they will look to go 11 points clear of Guardiola‘s side after only 13 matches.
Konate has been a mainstay in the centre of the Liverpool defence alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk since his introduction at half-time of the Reds’ opening Premier League match against Ipswich.
Earlier, Bradley was forced off with what looked to be a hamstring issue after an excellent display against Kylian Mbappe. The young defender, deputising for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, bullied the Madrid star and contributed to his nightmare night on Merseyside.
Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute against the Spanish side on Wednesday night and should be able to return for the clash against the Premier League champions.
The Reds claimed their first win over the Spanish giants in 15 years thanks to second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side had the chance to equalise after Mac Allister’s opener when the referee pointed to the spot after a foul on Lucas Vazquez by Andy Robertson. But Caoimhin Kelleher was equal to Mbappe’s tame effort.
Though, Mohamed Salah returned the favour just seven minutes later when he struck wide of the target before Gakpo’s towering header secured the points the Anfield club deserved.
It leaves Madrid precariously close to falling out of the qualification places as a third defeat in five Champions League matches sees them sat 24th in the standings. Liverpool, meanwhile, returned to the top of the league table with their fifth win in as many matches in the competition.
