LIVERPOOL NEWS

Ibrahima Konate - Makes bench against Argentina Konate (illness) made the bench for Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina.

Impact Konate isn't going to start over Dayot Upamecano but at least gets a place on the bench after overcoming a common illness in the French camp. He's still started three times in four appearances going into the final.

DECEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ibrahima Konate - Set to return Konate (illness) is set to return for Sunday's World Cup final, according to L'Equipe.

Impact Konate picked up an illness that has been going through the French camp, but trained Saturday and is set for a return. The defender was excellent in the semi final and could see a role right back in the starting XI for Sunday's final.

DECEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

The World Cup stars who could be on the move after Qatar

The World Cup is the biggest marketplace in soccer

DECEMBER 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Liverpool 4-1 AC Milan friendly highlights | Thiago's sweet strike and a Darwin Nunez double Highlights of Liverpool against AC Milan in the Dubai Super Cup. Watch full match replays of every Liverpool FC game and get behind-the-scen...

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • SKY.COM

Premier League, European clubs prepare for World Cup fallout

The tournament in Qatar has been described by FIFA president Gianni Infantino as the “best World Cup ever.”

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ibrahima Konate - Suffering from illness Konate is suffering from the illness that's stricken the French camp, according to Loic Tanzi of L'Equipe. His status is a little worrisome ahead of Sunday's final against Argentin...

Impact Konate has started three times in the tournament with his most recent appearance coming Wednesday against Morocco as the replacement for Dayot Upamecano (illness). Going into the final, Raphael Varane has also picked up this bug going around the team so the defense could be short for options. If Konate isn't fit Upamecano could return, Jules Kounde could move to center-back or Benjamin Pavard might start.

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ibrahima Konate - Heroic in win Konate generated two tackles (zero won), five clearances and five interceptions in Wednesday's 2-0 victory versus Morocco.

Impact Konate didn't light up the stat sheet but he made some utterly crucial challenges. In a match he wasn't even expected to start Konate stepped in for Dayot Upamecano and made his case to be the man of the match. Konate played well enough to perhaps earn a chance to start the World Cup final against Argentina, as France look for back-to-back titles.

DECEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ibrahima Konate - Expected to start Konate is expected to start in the absence of Dayot Upamecano (illness) for Wednesday's semifinal against Moroccco, according to RMC Sport.

Impact The lineup has yet to be confirmed, but Konate has been the overnight favorite to take Upamecano's place after an illness left him and Adrien Rabiot unable to train in full. Keep an eye out for who eventually gets the spot but these are the names to track. Konate made two starts in three group stage games but has yet to play in the two knockout rounds.

DECEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Naby Keita - Subs on during friendly Keita was a late addition to Sunday's friendly loss to Lyon.

Impact Keita is on the road to full fitness after missing the entire season until now with a muscular injury. If he can actually contribute in 2023, Keita might be able to resurrect a career that's stagnated without much playing time at Liverpool.

DECEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joel Matip - Starts in friendly Matip started during Sunday's friendly loss to Lyon.

Impact Matip has overcome a calf injury that kept him out for much of the last two months. When fit, he started in five of his seven appearances between the league and UCL. If he can keep a place over Ibrahima Konate, then Matip should be able to continue his contributions so long as he's fit.

DECEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Why Luis Diaz's latest injury is a 'smash in the face' for Liverpool The Colombian is facing another three months out, putting further strain on Jurgen Klopp's already depleted resources

DECEMBER 12, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Luis Diaz - Set for surgery Diaz (knee) is set to undergo surgery on his LCL injury, Pipe Sierra of WinsportsTV reports.

Impact Diaz is set for a long-term surgery that would see him sidelined until March at the soonest. The winger suffered a set-back during Liverpool's Dubai training camp before being flown back to England for scans. Roberto Firmino will likely continue to see more playing time with Diaz set for an extended period on the sideline.

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alisson - Beaten on single shot Alisson made no saves and a single clearance in Friday's 1-1 (4-2) loss versus Croatia.

Impact Alisson had a clean sheet going into the 117th minute before a late goal shocked Brazil and sent the match to penalties. Alisson didn't make a save in the shootout as Croatia sent the tournament favorites packing. Alisson will play the second half of the season back with Liverpool, where he has kept four clean sheets in 14 Premier League starts.

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Diaz - Suffers setback in recovery Diaz (knee) suffered a setback in his recovery during the team's training camp in Dubai and has already flown back to England, according to Paul Joyce of The Times.

Impact Diaz unfortunately didn't take long to suffer a new issue, and will now undergo further tests before anything is determined. He can now be considered a doubt to play in the Dec. 26 match against Aston Villa and for a week after that as well until more is known.

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Messi resumes World Cup quest as Argentina plays Netherlands

The World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands has all the ingredients of a classic

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rested Mbappé to face England in World Cup quarterfinals

Kylian Mbappé will be ready to face England at the World Cup on Saturday

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ibrahima Konate plays down Kylian Mbappe fears Ibrahima Konate has insisted there is “nothing to worry about” fitness-wise when it comes to Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe did an indoor session on...

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Naby Keita - Needs indifidual program Keita (strain) is in an individual training program while in Dubai for a winter camp, according to Neil Jones of Goal.

Impact Keita has yet to play this season and as he's still not training with his teammates, it could make returning by the end of December a difficult task. Long-term, Keita figures to be an option off the bench.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Arthur Melo - Likely out for another month Arthur (thigh) joined his teammates for a winter camp in Dubai but isn't expected to be fit until mid-January, according to Neil Jones of Goal.

Impact Arthur has practically been relegated to the reserve team all season so getting his fitness back will be imperative to ever getting a good chance to play.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Diogo Jota - With teammates in Dubai Jota (calf) made the trip to Dubai for a winter training camp but isn't expected to train for another six weeks, according to Neil Jones of Goal.

Impact This is anticipated news for Jota, who isn't expected to be fit until February at the earliest. With Luis Diaz back (knee) in full training, the left wing will survive for now.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

David Beckham visits England camp in Qatar David Beckham visited the England squad in Qatar ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against France on Saturday and spoke with Trent Alex...

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • SKY.COM

Arthur Melo - Travels for training camp Arthur (strain) traveled with Liverpool to Abu Dhabi to train individually and with the team, Liverpool announced.

Impact Arthur was named as part of the traveling squad for the warm weather training camp during the World Cup. The midfielder is racing for fitness to try and return to the first team for a boxing day clash with Aston Villa.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alisson - Five saves in win over South Korea Alisson made five saves and conceded one goal during Monday's 4-1 win over South Korea.

Impact Alisson was back in the net after being rested on the previous match and finally needed to work here, making some spectacular saves along the way to keep his side leading comfortably. However, the goalkeeper couldn't do much when Seung-Ho Paik fired a spectacular long-range shot to score the consolation goal for the opposition in the 76th minute. With just one goal allowed over three starts in this tournament, Alisson will try to keep it up during Friday's quarterfinal against Croatia.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Diaz - Pictured in training Diaz (knee) was pictured participating in Tuesday's training session.

Impact As expected, Diaz has begun training again during a winter camp in Dubai. He now has a couple of weeks to get back to full speed before competitive matches resume. He scored four goals and logged two assists in 11 appearances (10 starts) prior to his injury.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Believe the hype, Bellingham is lighting up the World Cup

Jordan Henderson knew exactly who to thank after opening the scoring in England’s 3-0 win against Senegal

DECEMBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS