Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has conceded that Ibrahima Konate is losing his race to be fit for Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The French centre-back sustained a thigh injury during last Thursday's Europa League last-16 first-leg win over Sparta Prague and has since missed the Reds' last two games in all tournaments.
However, following the weekend's 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League, Klopp professed that Konate would have a "good chance" of making his return for the quarter-final.
The former RB Leipzig man did not make the cut for the 6-1 second-leg trouncing of Sparta, but he was named in France's squad for the upcoming international break on Thursday, suggesting that a comeback was imminent.
Speaking to reporters in Friday's pre-game press conference, though, Klopp delivered a pessimistic update on the defender, who is yet to return to team training and is unlikely to be given the green light to face the Red Devils.
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On two brighter notes, ankle victims Ryan Gravenberch - who returned to training earlier this week - and Bobby Clark, who was forced off on Thursday night, are expected to be available, while Mohamed Salah came through the 90 minutes unscathed against Sparta.
"Mo is definitely ready. Ibou didn't train today, we have to see if he can train tomorrow but it will be a tight, tight race which we will probably lose, but we don't know," the German said.
"Bobby felt much better. That was uncomfortable, he got a knock there, a little swelling and that's why [we had] the feeling that it might be something more serious but it's not, so he's fine. Ryan trained today again, so he's ready. And the others, some of the others, [will return] after the international break."
The "others" that Klopp was referring to are Diogo Jota, Ben Doak, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold (all knee), Curtis Jones (shin), Alisson Becker (thigh), Stefan Bajcetic (calf) and Thiago Alcantara (muscle), all of whom have been long-term absentees.
However, Jones might be fit to make his comeback against Brighton & Hove Albion on March 31, while Jota and Alexander-Arnold are pushing to be fit for the home fixture with Sheffield United on April 4.
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With Konate likely to remain sidelined, Joe Gomez - who was substituted at half time on Thursday as a precaution - should be in line for another start at Old Trafford on the back of being recalled to the England squad.
The versatile 26-year-old has not played for his country since October 2020, but he excelled as an emergency left-back over the festive period, and Klopp revealed Gomez's delight at hearing he was back in Gareth Southgate's ranks.
"Joey deserves it, absolutely. What a season he played so far, he is absolutely exceptional," Klopp added. "I said a lot of times, without the kids we are not where we are – and without Joey we would be definitely not where we are in the moment.
"He played so many different positions. Really happy for him and I saw on his face he was very happy about it as well. Good news. Now let's play the game and he can go there and then he hopefully comes back healthy and he can play the rest of the season."
Liverpool have progressed from each of their last six FA Cup quarter-final matches dating back to 1995-96, but they are yet to beat Man United at Old Trafford in the competition.
Ben Knapton
