Liverpool injury blow as Arsenal fall further behind | OneFootball

Liverpool’s latest win against Brighton was overshadowed by an injury to Ibrahima Konaté, who was forced to leave the field just before half-time.

The Reds emerged victorious 2-1, taking full advantage of Manchester City’s rare defeat and Arsenal’s dropped points, yet their success came at a cost as the French defender suffered a suspected wrist injury in a bizarre clash involving his teammate Virgil van Dijk.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, celebrates after the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield on November 02, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Konaté’s injury, coming at a tightly contested offensive corner, saw him tangle awkwardly with Van Dijk. The latter was unsure exactly what happened: “There were a lot of players around the ball, and I hit him, I think on his arm, I’m not sure,” Van Dijk explained to Sky Sports. “I think it’s not too bad for him, we’ll see.”

Despite this optimism, Liverpool manager Arne Slot made an immediate substitution, bringing on Joe Gomez at half-time. Slot, evasive about the length of Konaté’s absence, described his condition as painful but said there was no need to send him to the hospital as of yet.

Starting nine of Liverpool’s 10 league matches this season and featuring for France in October, Konaté’s importance to both Liverpool and his national team is clear.

He is expected to undergo scans today to determine the severity of the injury, which has left Liverpool and Didier Deschamps hopeful but cautious.

Arsenal—now seven points adrift of Liverpool—faced another disappointing day as they fell to Newcastle United on Saturday in the early kick-off.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Arsenal FC at St James’ Park on November 02, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The 1-0 loss meant the Gunners also failed to capitalise on Manchester City’s shock defeat against Bournemouth.

Arsenal, struggling to find form in the absence of Martin Ødegaard, watched helplessly as Alexander Isak netted the game’s only goal early on.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Arsenal FC at St James’ Park on November 02, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged his team’s shortcomings bluntly: “We weren’t threatening enough offensively to say that we could win.”

Despite two chances falling to Declan Rice, Arsenal‘s lack of creativity was apparent, particularly with Ødegaard sidelined due to an ankle problem. He should hopefully be back soon.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Declan Rice of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Arsenal FC at St James’ Park on November 02, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Manchester City’s 1-2 loss to Bournemouth, ending an 11-month unbeaten run in the league, saw Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson score for the Cherries.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Erling Haaland of Manchester City applauds the fans after the team’s defeat in the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City FC at Vitality Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Although Josko Gvardiol pulled one back, City’s inability to react until trailing by two left Pep Guardiola conceding his side lacked intensity and allowed Bournemouth to dictate the game.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth, celebrates victory with Marcus Tavernier after the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City FC at Vitality Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

City’s stumble meant Liverpool capitalised perfectly, overtaking them in the table after their hard-fought comeback against Brighton, courtesy of Cody Gakpo’s cross-cum-shot and Mohamed Salah’s trademark curling strike.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield on November 02, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Brighton opened the scoring against Liverpool with a precise effort from Ferdi Kadioglu, but the Reds responded in the second half, and the shift in energy after Slot’s half-time adjustments was evident.

Gakpo’s equaliser was soon followed by Salah’s seventh league goal of the season, sealing Liverpool’s rise to the Premier League summit.