Report: Liverpool’s Injury Update Ahead of Southampton and Spurs | OneFootball

Liverpool Injury Update: Defensive Issues Mount Before Key Fixtures

Liverpool find themselves in a precarious position as injuries threaten to derail their festive fixture schedule. With crucial matches against Southampton in the Carabao Cup and Tottenham in the Premier League looming, the Reds’ defensive depth is being pushed to its limits. Manager Arne Slot faces a testing period as he juggles fitness concerns and a demanding match calendar.

Defensive Uncertainty in Crucial Week

Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham at Anfield underscored their current struggles, both in terms of results and fitness. Despite having a game in hand over title rivals Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City, Slot’s team is losing ground in the title race. Defensive frailties caused by key injuries are becoming a pressing issue.

Here’s the latest on Liverpool’s defensive absentees:

Andy Robertson

Andy Robertson’s red card against Fulham has already ruled him out of upcoming fixtures, but his problems may run deeper. Slot suggested the Scotland international was carrying an injury after a heavy challenge from Issa Diop early in the match, possibly affecting his performance:

Photo: IMAGO

“I think Robbo might have been a bit too injured to keep going because normally he’s faster than that. It says a lot about his character that he wants to keep on going but it results in a red card,” said Slot.

Potential return date: Unknown

Kostas Tsimikas

Kostas Tsimikas remains sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained in November. However, there’s a glimmer of hope as the Greek left-back has begun his recovery process.

“He has made the first positive step,” confirmed Slot. “But when players are back on the grass, still [for] playing time sometimes there is a little bit of time in between that.”

Photo: IMAGO

Despite progress, Slot refrained from giving a precise timeline:

“I cannot say exactly how long because not every player reacts in the same way. Some players are earlier back with the same injury and some players need a little bit more time.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Ibrahima Konate

Ibrahima Konate’s absence continues to cast a shadow over Liverpool’s defensive setup. The French centre-back has not played since the Champions League win over Real Madrid, and Slot admits there’s no clear end in sight:

Photo by IMAGO

“I have no clue, they [Konate and Conor Bradley] are not on the pitch yet,” Slot said. “Well, of course, I have a clue, but it is not that there is a game in our heads that we want them back for, no.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Conor Bradley

Like Konate, young defender Conor Bradley has been ruled out for several weeks after picking up a hamstring injury during the same Champions League fixture. Slot explained that injuries like these can be unpredictable:

Photo IMAGO

“They [Bradley and Konate] will both be out for a few weeks. It’s always difficult to judge how many exactly 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.”

Potential return date: Unknown

With Liverpool’s defensive resources stretched thin, Slot must find short-term solutions to navigate a decisive period. His ability to manage this crisis could prove pivotal in Liverpool’s quest for silverware this season.