Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Ibrahima Konate’s withdrawal in Liverpool’s big win over Sparta Prague was precautionary.
Liverpool beat Sparta 5-1 to take complete control of the last-16 tie ahead of next week’s second leg at Anfield.
Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Darwin Nunez scored a brace before half-time. Sparta pulled one back through a Conor Bradley own goal, but Luis Diaz swiftly restored the three-goal advantage and Dominik Szoboszlai completed the rout with the final touch of the match.
The mood was dampened by an injury blow early in the second-half though, as Konate went down and was forced off, with Virgil van Dijk introduced in his place.
However, ahead of Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City, Klopp played down any injury fears.
“Ibou said to me 'if I do another sprint, it could be set',” the Liverpool boss said.
“Should be fine but we don't know.”
Joe Gomez was withdrawn at half-time in Prague and replaced by Bradley, who turned the ball into his own net with his first touch of the match.
On the decision to bring Gomez off, Klopp confirmed: “[He] is fine, played a lot, rotation.”
It was a strong night for Nunez, who was brought off early in the second-half but by that point had already scored two superb goals for the visitors.
The striker now has 16 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for Liverpool this season, and his manager was full of praise after the match.
"He had a more than OK first season but had to adapt,” Klopp said.
“Wonderful boy, loves playing for this club with his boys and has quality coming out his ears. It's like strikers are. Is he at his peak? Not yet. Can he develop? Yes. But he's always a threat."
