Injuries open door for fringe France players at World Cup
France's World Cup squad has been decimated by injuries to star players like Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba and N’Golo KanteNOVEMBER 20, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
IBRAHIMA KONATE #5 - DEFENDER - LIVERPOOL
1 G •
1 A •
0.7 SPG
1 G
1 A
0.7 SPG
France adds Thuram for World Cup, Disasi replaces Kimpembe
Marcus Thuram has been handed the last spot in the France squad that will defend its World Cup title in Qatar while Monaco's uncapped Axel Disasi has also been called after Presnel...NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Misses Soton match as precaution Konate was held out of Saturday's 3-1 win over Southampton as a precaution, according to manager Jurgen Klopp via Sky Sports. "Ibou couldn't play for us (Saturday), I really think...
Impact Konate doesn't face any threat of getting left behind yet when the French team travels to Qatar, as Presnel Kimpembe (hamstring) did Monday following an injury. All that's left to determine is the defensive depth chart, though at least Raphael Varane, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez are the veterans from the 2018 World Cup triumph and may get first dips on starting spots.
NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Varane, Kimpembe and Giroud named in France World Cup squad
France coach Didier Deschamps picked central defenders Raphael Varane and Prensel Kimpembe in a World Cup squad named amid injury concernsNOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Key defensively in first start Konate made three tackles (two won), registered nine clearances and added two interceptions during Sunday's 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Impact Konate played the full 90 in his first EPL start this season and was a key factor in holding opposing striker Harry Kane off the score sheet until the 70th minute of this contest. His nine clearances were both a team and a match-high during a rather evenly contested matchup. If he receives additional run within the XI, it will likely be at the expense of Joe Gomez, who was on the bench for this one.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Available for selection Konate will be available for selection in Tuesday's match against Napoli, according to manager Jurgen Klopp. "We will see. Ibou (Konate), I think there's a good chance that he will...
Impact Konate has been left on the bench in two straight matches since returning from a muscular injury and will now hope to play for the first time in three weeks. It's been a tough season for Konate, who's played just twice and missed multiple months due to various injuries. If he can build up any rhythm, there's sure to be opportunities to play in a team that isn't so confident in their efforts each week.
OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Back in squad Konate (strain) is on the bench for Wednesday's match against Ajax.
Impact Konate returned to full training this week and his return to the squad was expected Wednesday. With a couple more days in training, he may be ready to start Saturday against Leeds. If that's the case, he'd take the spot of Joe Gomez in the starting XI, though starting every match seems to be a long shot given his injuries this season.
OCTOBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Liverpool unlikely to rush Konate back for Ajax clash Jurgen Klopp has said Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is unlikely to be rushed back into his starting XI for Wednesday’s Champions League...
OCTOBER 25, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Full participant in training Konate (strain) was a full participant in Tuesday's training session ahead of Wednesday's UCL trip to Ajax, according to Theo Squires of the Liverpool Echo.
Impact Konate has missed each of the last three matches and could make the squad list for just the fourth time this season. The absence of Joel Matip (calf) means that Konate could play some role in Wednesday's game.
OCTOBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Will fully train next week Konate (strain) will be involved in full training early next week, according to manager Jurgen Klopp.
Impact Fortunately for Konate, this seems like a minor issue and he could be in the squad next Champions League match. That said, making a return to the starting XI will take time given that he's barely played this season because of injury. Joe Gomez is expected to remain at center-back until Konate and Joel Matip are ready to return.
OCTOBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Out Wednesday Konate (strain) will miss Wednesday's match against West Ham as he has yet to return to training, according to manager Jurgen Klopp. "Ibou not in team training yet but we knew it b...
Impact Konate could be back by Saturday's match at Nottingham Forest if he's back within the schedule set by the manager dating to when he originally picked up the injury. Until then, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are likely to form the center-back pairing as Joel Matip (calf) is also out.
OCTOBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Out against Man City Konate (strain) didn't make the team sheet for Sunday's match against Manchester City.
Impact Konate picked up a muscular issue following his first start of the season, leaving space for Joe Gomez to shift to center-back alongside Virgil van Dijk. It could be tough to change around the lineup against the likes of Erling Haaland and the rest of a dominant attacking side.
OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Doubtful Sunday Konate is a doubt for Sunday's clash with Manchester City due to a minor muscular issue, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.
Impact Konate picked up a minor muscular issue in training and was forced to sit out Friday. It would be from bad to worse for Liverpool if Konate is ruled out Sunday, with Joel Matip also set to be sidelined and Trent Alexander-Arnold already ruled out for multiple weeks. Konate got the start during Wednesday's 7-1 Champions League win over Rangers after recovering from a knee injury.
OCTOBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Konate fitness doubt for Liverpool vs Man City Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate is a fitness doubt for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield. The France inter...
OCTOBER 15, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
On bench Tuesday Konate (knee) is on the bench for Tuesday's match against Rangers.
Impact Konate is back in the squad Tuesday after missing the first couple months of the season with a knee injury. Fitness may still be a concern, but his return is a nice boost to the squad with a busy schedule ahead. He figures to swap in and out of the starting XI with Joel Matip once ready to fully return.
OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Not in squad to face Brighton Konate is not in the match day squad to face Brighton on Saturday.
Impact Konate was close to a return but ultimately misses out on Saturday's match with a knee injury. The defender could return as soon as Tuesday's Champions League fixture against Rangers.
OCTOBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Could be option Saturday Konate (knee) has been training ahead of Saturday's match against Brighton, according to manager Jurgen Klopp. "Yes, back. For the weekend, [it] depends to training today but he's...
Impact Konate will likely be on the bench in an upcoming match before getting a start, but he's been training and should be an option soon. Once fit, he'll likely swap time with Joel Matip, somewhat similar to last season, though as the campaign moved on, Konate eventually saw more time
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Returns to full training Konate (knee) returned to full training Wednesday ahead of Saturday's match against Brighton, per James Pearce of The Athletic.
Impact Konate is back in full training after a knee injury knocked him out for the opening two months of the campaign. The Liverpool defense has been shaky in his absence and it's possible he finds immediate playing time alongside Virgil van Dijk. Konate made 11 Premier League starts in the 2021/22 campaign but seemed to have earned a bigger role in pre-season.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ibrahima Konate to miss start of the season for Liverpool Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate will miss the opening weeks of the season with the knee injury he suffered in last Sunday’s friendly defe...
AUGUST 4, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Will miss start of season Konate (knee) will miss Saturday's Premier League opener against Fulham with the injury he suffered against Strasbourg last weekend, Liverpool announced Thursday.
Impact Konate picked up a knee injury in Liverpool's final preseason match against Strasbourg, and he announced on Instagram that he will have to "spend some time off the pitch, but it won't be too long." While this isn't very specific, it seems as though he is set to miss at least one game but expects to be able to return at some point in August. Joel Matip should be the starter alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defense until Konate returns.
AUGUST 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Injury not considered serious Konate isn't believed to have suffered a serious knee injury and will undergo a scan, according to manager Jurgen Klopp. "We don't know exactly yet on Ibou, but it doesn't look too...
Impact This is a positive update on Konate after some fans believed the worst when he was forced out of Sunday's friendly. That said, the season opener is less than a week away and he's not a major day to feature with Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip the likely center-backs for Liverpool unless Konate is truly not hurt at all.
AUGUST 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Comes off injured in presesaon Konate was subbed out of Sunday's preseason friendly against Strasbourg in the 57th minute after suffering an apparent leg injury.
Impact More information about Konate's potential injury will likely emerge after Sunday's game, but he'll have only a week to recover before Liverpool's Premier League season kicks off against Fulham. Joel Matip remains a very capable backup option in central defense if Konate isn't able to play.
JULY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Wins two tackles in win Konate made two clearances, an interception and won two of three tackles in Sunday's 3-1 victory against Wolverhampton.
Impact Konate and Liverpool did their job in defeating Wolves on Sunday, but they still lost out on the Premier League title and their quadruple dreams are over. Still, a second Champions League title in four years wouldn't be a bad consolation prize, and he seems to be the preferred option to start alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defense for Saturday's Final against Real Madrid, though the experience of Joel Matip -- who is 30 years old, has been with Liverpool for five years now and started in the club's UCL triumph in 2019 -- should not be discounted either.
MAY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Scores rare goal Konate scored once on one shot during Wednesday's 3-3 draw with Benfica.
Impact Konate scored once on one shot in the first leg, and then repeated the feat in the second leg. The big defender doesn't often get on the pitch, but he has looked solid when playing. Konate may be a rotational starter in the Champions League semi-final against Villarreal.
APRIL 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
First UCL goal Konate scored a goal with his lone shot while making an interception, two tackles and a clearance during Tuesday's 3-1 win over Benfica.
Impact Konate found the back of the net in the 17th minute opening the scoring in the match. The goal was the first in the Champions League for the defender while his lone interception tied for the team-high total in the win.
APRIL 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
