'Not 100 per cent': Key Liverpool player admits he isn't completely fit ahead of tonight's big game

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Liverpool head to Nottingham on Tuesday to face a Forest side flying high in the Premier League.

The Reds will feel that they owe one to Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, who remain the only team to beat them in the division this season.

Liverpool have found the going tough on their last three visits to the City Ground, losing once and winning twice, with each game ending in a narrow 1-0 score line.

Last season the Reds stole away with the three points after Darwin Nunez glanced home a late, late winner to keep their title dream alive.

This time, Liverpool will have to make do without Nunez, who is suspended for Tuesday’s game.

But after injury rumours about him were put to bed, the Reds look set to have Ibrahima Konate available. According to Konate himself, though, he is not yet fully fit.

Ibrahima Konate says he is not ‘100 per cent’ fit

There had been new worry over Konate’s fitness after the 25-year-old was named on the Liverpool teamsheet to face Accrington Stanley on Saturday, before swiftly being removed.

It has since been reported that Konate is fit and available for Tuesday game, though, with the error most likely being a clerical one.

However speaking to liverpoolfc.com on the eve of facing Forest, Konate has made a slightly worrying admission about his current level of health.

“I feel good, not 100 per cent, but I just worked on it to come back and to fix my knee because I knew a great game was coming,” said the Frenchman, referring to the clash with Manchester United.

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“And when I saw the injury of Joe Gomez – I hope he will come back very quick because he’s a very important player for us – I just tried to do everything to come back quicker because the game was so important and I wanted to play against Man United.

“Now we are here to come back 100 per cent.”

Could Konate be rested for Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest?

It sounds like by his own admission, Konate cannot yet play to his top level while still carrying an issue.

With Tuesday’s game being such a huge one for Liverpool, perhaps Arne Slot will consider giving the Frenchman a little more time off to recuperate.

The Reds certainly can’t carry any passengers at the City Ground, with Forest set to come at them all guns blazing.

Unfortunately, though, as Konate says, without Gomez available, Slot has little choice but to keep Konate involved.

Jarell Quansah looks shot of confidence and supporters would not feel secure with the 21-year-old facing up against the in-form Chris Wood. Konate is simply going to have to play his way back to fitness.