Liverpool produced a masterclass performance on Wednesday night to beat Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield. The result continued their 100 percent record in the Champions League this season and established them as one of the best teams in Europe.
However, the result has come at a cost ahead of a crucial run of games for Liverpool both in the Premier League and Europe. Arne Slot has a solid squad but he is also aware that he cannot afford to have too many injuries.
Alisson Becker, Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota are yet to return from their respective injuries and Trent Alexander-Arnold just got back from a hamstring problem but was an unused substitute against Real Madrid.
Liverpool do not want to suffer more injury problems moving forward as they have a busy run of fixtures, especially a big game against Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend.
However, the Merseyside giants are now sweating over the fitness of two very important players this week following their win over Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
Arne Slot is banking on hope
While the result over Real Madrid pleased the fans, Liverpool are counting it’s cost with two key players suffering injuries.
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate was close to tears after suffering an injury following a clash against Endrick and was helped off the pitch at the end of the game.
Conor Bradley seemed to have suffered a hamstring injury in the 87th minute and the club are now sweating over their fitness ahead of the Manchester City game.
Can you name the team Liverpool sold these players to?
Slot admitted that he is not aware of the extent of the injuries as both players need to be assessed properly.
He is hopeful that both players will be fit for the Manchester City game but stressed that other players will step up if needed.
“No. Not yet. We know now where they have pain but it’s difficult to judge so close after the game”, Slot told reporters 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.”
Alexander-Arnold is expected to be fit to start in place of Bradley against Manchester City but Liverpool will be more keen to see Konate get back to full fitness.
