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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Arne Slot provides Ibrahima Konate injury update in major boost to Liverpool ahead of Bayer Leverkusen clash

Ibrahima Konate was replaced at half-time against Brighton - (AFP via Getty Images)

Arne Slot has confirmed that Ibrahima Konate is available to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

The Liverpool defender was forced off at half-time against Brighton on Saturday, with Slot revealing after the match that Konate was in “a lot of pain”.

That raised the possibility of Konate facing a spell on the sidelines, but the centre-back is in contention for Tuesday night’s clash against Leverkusen at Anfield.

"He's available to play,” Slot said at his press conference on Tuesday.

“I think he's completely recovered so he can play. Then it's up to me to make the decision if he plays or not. He's in a good place."

Liverpool have made a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, winning their first three matches, and it already leaves them firmly on course to secure a top-eight finish and a place in the last-16.

The Reds also sit top of the Premier League, two points clear of Manchester City and six clear of the rest of the league, after they came from behind to beat Brighton.

Slot admitted he was frustrated with his team’s first-half display against the Seagulls, warning they must be at their best from the first whistle against Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side.

"Very important because football is played in two moments, with the ball and without,” Slot said.

"If you play against strong teams you need to be good on both sides. We were poor in the first half with and without the ball against Brighton.

“That shows us we need a performance like the second half because Leverkusen is at least equal to Brighton with the ball."

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