Ibrahima Konate didn’t play a single minute for France at Euro 2024, and now Liverpool can plan for his return for pre-season after their semi-final exit.
Having been anticipated to take up an everyday beginning function heading into the event, a short sickness noticed Konate drop out of competition at centre-back.
As a substitute, Didier Deschamps caught with the pairing of Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba all through a run that led France to a semi-final towards Spain on Tuesday night time.
However up towards a facet that many contemplate favourites, Les Bleus got here up brief, shedding 2-1 after a shocking strike from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal.
It means Konate leaves the Euros having not featured in any respect, going unused in six video games towards Austria, Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Portugal and Spain.
That comes after additionally shedding his place within the Liverpool lineup on the again finish of final season – although Konate himself has steered Jarell Quansah was solely most well-liked as “there was nothing at stake.”
Leaving Germany after the semi-finals, Konate will now embark on a post-season break, which will probably be a minimal of three weeks on medical recommendation from the Premier League.
Due to this fact, Liverpool’s No. 5 shouldn’t be anticipated again in pre-season coaching till August 1 on the earliest.
By that time, Arne Slot‘s facet could have already flown out to the USA and brought in two of the three warmup fixtures of their pre-season tour.
Liverpool are set to journey to Pittsburgh on July 23, earlier than dealing with Actual Betis on the Acrisure Stadium on July 27 after which heading to Philadelphia to face Arsenal on August 1.
Their last cease within the US will probably be in Columbia, South Carolina, the place they tackle Man United on August 4.
Whereas that would feasibly see Konate concerned, it’s extremely unlikely that would be the case, and his most lifelike return to motion will as an alternative be the ultimate pleasant of pre-season.
That comes towards Sevilla at Anfield on August 11, by which level Slot ought to have the bulk – if not all – of his squad again.
Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz are assured among the many final to report again, together with both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez or Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo relying on the England vs. Netherlands end result.
Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai and Vitezslav Jaros are anticipated to hitch the squad subsequent week, whereas Diogo Jota and Alisson are prone to arrive for the second week of the US tour.
