'Out for such a long time': Slot suggests £35m man won't play on Wednesday after what happened vs Man United
01/05/2025 03:30 PM
Liverpool played out a dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Sunday as they dropped points in the Premier League title race.
The Reds had a big opportunity to put more daylight between themselves and second-placed Arsenal after the Gunners drew with Brighton on Saturday.
But after an underwhelming display at Anfield, Liverpool did not deserve anything more than the point they gained.
The game marked the beginning of another crucial week for the Reds as Wednesday sees the arrival of the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg away at Tottenham.
After the visit to Spurs, Liverpool then face high-flyers Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
And ahead of that crucial trip to the City Ground, Arne Slot has suggested that he’s likely to rest the returning Ibrahima Konate in midweek.
Ibrahima Konate set for Tottenham rest
Konate was a slightly surprise starter for Liverpool on Sunday. The £35m man had only just returned to training after more than five weeks out.
With Joe Gomez injured for a while, it was a boost for Reds fans to see their No.5 line up against United.
But after missing so long it was a slightly difficult game for Konate. And speaking in his post-match press conference, Slot strongly suggested that the 25-year-old will be rested in the midweek game.
“Because he was fit,” said the Liverpool head coach when asked why Konate started. “If he wouldn't [have been] then we wouldn't have started him, then he doesn't train with us. The moment he starts to train with the team he is fit again.”
“It is not to say that he can immediately play two games a week, but he can definitely play 90 minutes, like he showed today.
“Like you saw, except for the first game when I chose [Jarell] Quansah, all the other games when Ibou was fit he started, so that's the answer I think to your question.”
“The moment he is fit, he can start,” added Slot. “But if you have been out for such a long time it's difficult to immediately play then two games a week, so it must not come as a surprise if he doesn't play on Wednesday.
“But he played today for 90 minutes and I think he showed in that 90 minutes that he was ready to play.”
Jarell Quansah must play against Spurs
As when Wataru Endo played at centre-back against Southampton, it could be that Slot is about to play someone out of position in defence at Spurs.
Without Konate and Gomez, it feels fairly certain that Jarell Quansah will get his chance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
From there, the question for Slot will be whether Virgil van Dijk can be risked ahead of another busy week.
Without any more fit, senior centre-halves and with Konate needing to be managed slightly, we’d suggest that Endo might be set for another outing in defence.
Whatever Slot decides, though, it’s clear that Quansah has to be a part of it.
