Ibrahima Konate and Florian Wirtz looked worse for wear when taken off during Liverpool’s win against Arsenal, and Arne Slot offered an update on the pair.
After shaky performances to start the season, Konate was at his commanding best for 79 minutes before being forced off and replaced by Joe Gomez.
The Frenchman required the attention of director of medicine Jonathan Power and shortly left the field, raising concerns over his prognosis after a history of injuries.
Slot offered a somewhat positive update on the No. 5 after the match, telling reporters: “He thinks it’s cramp, and I have no reason to doubt him.
“Although sometimes players talk about cramp and then we have a scan and it’s more than that.
“Jeremie Frimpong was not too happy, like some pundits and journalists, when I took him out against Bournemouth, because he thought he only had cramp or felt [his hamstring] a bit.
“He’s already out for two or three weeks now, so let’s wait and see.”
Liverpool will undertake tests on Konate before he is released into the care of France for the international break, with any lingering concerns to keep him on Merseyside.
As for Wirtz, who was flat out on the ground before his substitution in the 89th minute, Slot simply stated that it was “not an injury, it was a welcome to the Premier League.”
He added, “I don’t think he knew he could have cramp in so many different places, that’s what happened. Welcome to the Premier League, welcome to playing against this intensity.”
Palace will be on alert
Konate’s withdrawal, whether it is cramp or something more serious, will also have alerted Crystal Palace ahead of Monday’s 7pm transfer deadline.
Liverpool submitted a bid for Marc Guehi on Saturday of £35 million that was immediately rejected, with the Eagles making a counter offer of £35 million plus £5 million in add-ons and a 10 percent sell-on clause.
Talks are ongoing between the two clubs, but that did not stop Oliver Glasner from starting his captain against Aston Villa on Saturday evening.
Palace had made an enquiry for a possible loan for Joe Gomez, who has also attracted interest from AC Milan and could reassess his situation at Anfield if Guehi is to arrive.
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