Liverpool: Arne Slot reveals timeline for Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley return after double injury blow | OneFootball

Defensive duo in a race to return before end of 2024

Arne Slot confirmed Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate are both set to miss “a few weeks” due to injury problems.

The pair picked up issues in Liverpool’s midweek win over Real Madrid, with Konate needing treatment on a knee injury after the full-time whistle after Bradley had already been forced off with a hamstring concern.

“They will both be out for a few weeks,” Slot said of Konate and Bradley after the win over City.

“I have said many times before, it's always difficult to judge how many weeks this exactly is because you can think in the beginning it'll be like this and then the end stage of an injury process can always differ a bit.

"They will not be in the team this week, for sure, both of them – and actually I don't think Kostas [Tsimikas] will be with us in the upcoming week as well.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his return from injury to start at right-back, while Joe Gomez came into the side to partner Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence in Konate’s absence. Jarell Quansah replaced Alexander-Arnold for the final 20 minutes at right-back.

Slot admitted his side are now stretched defensively, but praised the likes of Alexander-Arnold and Gomez for stepping up against City and delivering big performances.

"These players that we have available now, it is important for them now – even more than normal – to stay fit,” Slot said.

“That's also why I took Trent [Alexander-Arnold] off after 70 minutes. He was able to play longer, he played a very good game, defended really well again and was a major threat in attack. I think he was the one that played the ball towards Mo that led to the 1-0.

"But, knowing that we play Newcastle [on] Wednesday and Saturday the Merseyside derby with only five available, we have to take care of them. That's why it was so pleasing to see the ones that came in – Joe [Gomez] and Jarell [Quansah] – did so well, even with Jarell in an unfamiliar position for him."