Liverpool Faces New Injury Crisis as Manchester United Showdown Looms

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté has been released from the France national team following additional medical examinations of a muscle problem.

Konaté was taken off during the second half of the 2–1 loss to Chelsea and showed no obvious signs of injury, causing many to assume manager Arne Slot was making a statement about his disappointing performances. However, the Dutch coach subsequently confirmed the substitution was due to fitness concerns.

Despite being selected for France's current international break, Konaté remained on the bench during Wednesday's 3–0 victory against Azerbaijan—worries about his physical condition have now intensified enough for him to be sent back to his club.

"Ibrahima Konaté was returned to his club this Saturday, with Benjamin Pavard called up as his replacement," an official announcement stated. "During his most recent appearance for Liverpool against Chelsea on October 4, the central defender experienced discomfort in his right thigh's quadriceps muscle.

"Ibrahima Konaté has been undergoing treatment and following a modified training regime since arriving at Clairefontaine on Monday, but he will be unable to feature in Monday's match in Reykjavik.

"Following discussions with the player and Franck Le Gall, the French team's medical officer, Didier Deschamps chose to send Ibrahima Konaté back to his club and bring in Benjamin Pavard as his replacement."

Clock Ticking for Konate to Be Fit for Man Utd Clash

Liverpool now has seven days to ensure Konaté recovers in time for the upcoming fixture against Manchester United.

The centre-back position is already problematic for Liverpool, having lost Italian defender Giovanni Leoni to an ACL tear that will likely sideline him for the entire campaign.

Should Konaté require time away from action, the only natural option to partner Virgil van Dijk would be Joe Gomez, who was unexpectedly left unused as a substitute in the recent Chelsea match while Slot opted for defensive midfielder Ryan Gravenberch to cover the position.

Wataru Endo, another midfielder by trade, has previously played as a centre-back but, similar to Konaté, was also forced to pull out of international commitments due to injury.