Arne Slot confirms double Liverpool defensive injury blow | OneFootball

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has confirmed that both Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley are set for time on the sidelines after picking up injuries during the Reds' Champions League win over Real Madrid.

Konate, who helped his side keep a clean sheet against Madrid's star-studded attacking lineup, initially announced his own injury last week on Instagram. He admitted feeling "frustrated" ahead of his impending spell in the treatment room, missing out on Liverpool's victory over Manchester City after featuring in all of his side's previous Premier League fixtures this season.

Bradley also took a knock during the European clash, clutching his hamstring as he left the pitch.

"They will both be out for a few weeks," Slot admitted when asked to provide an update on the pair following Sunday's statement win against City.

"I have said many times before, it's always difficult to judge how many weeks this exactly is because you can think in the beginning it'll be like this and then the end stage of an injury process can always differ a bit.

Konate was injured during Liverpool's clash with Madrid / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

"They will not be in the team this week, for sure, both of them - and actually I don't think Kostas [Tsimikas] will be with us in the upcoming week as well. These players that we have available now, it is important for them now, even more than normal, to stay fit. That's also why I took Trent [Alexander-Arnold] off after 70 minutes.

"He was able to play longer, he played a very good game, defended really well again and was a major threat in attack. I think he was the one that played the ball towards Mo [Salah] that led to the 1-0."

Slot explained why conserving players during one of the busiest parts of the season is vital.

"Knowing that we play Newcastle," he continued.

"[On] Wednesday and Saturday the Merseyside derby with only five [defenders] available, we have to take care of them. That's why it was so pleasing to see the ones that came in – Joe [Gomez] and Jarell [Quansah] – did so well, even with Jarell in an unfamiliar position for him."