Ibrahima Konate was dismissed from the France team last month after his unexpected call-up while injured and the nature of his injury was disclosed.
Konate was selected by France manager Didier Deschamps but has missed Liverpool’s last two games with an unidentified injury.
Deschamps responded to the unexpected call-up of the defender by saying, “He’s supposed to be available,” despite Jurgen Klopp having declared him out until after the break.
The 24-year-old was then scheduled to undergo tests on Monday before linking up with his international teammates for a match in a friendly against Germany and a Euro 2024 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.
However, the French Football Federation announced a day early that Konate had “insufficiently recovered,” according to them Jean-Clair Tobido had taken Konate’s place since he had “insufficiently recovered.”
Given that Liverpool’s No. 5 had not played in recent weeks and there had been confusion regarding his original call-up, the news on Sunday did not come as a surprise.
At least the FFF announcement clarified Konate’s ailment; the injury to his left hamstring had previously been labeled as a minor muscular strain.
Although there will be no risks taken with France, it is unclear if he will be totally fit in time for the trip to Wolves on September 16.
In Konate’s absence, Klopp has turned to Joel Matip, while Virgil van Dijk’s red card forced Joe Gomez to come off the bench against Newcastle and start in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
After Sunday’s victory, Klopp told reporters that “both center-halves played an exceptional game — with different jobs, to be honest.”
Joey found [Moussa] Diaby hiding in midfield in the nine-and-a-half or 10 position.Joey had to intervene as a result. Ollie Watkins and Joel are now facing off against one another.
Even while I adore Joel, I believe we all agree that Ollie Watkins might move a little more quickly than Joel. He performed incredibly well.
Klopp continued, “Joey, I’m extremely happy for him. I’m extremely happy.
To be honest, it was already like way against Newcastle when he entered the game.
Along with defenders like Van Dijk, Konate, Matip, and Gomez, Liverpool also has academy product Jarell Quansah, 20, who played against both Newcastle and Villa.
Klopp seems confident in his current center backs despite requests to sign a replacement before the transfer deadline.
Last week, Sepp van den Berg (Mainz), Rhys Williams (Aberdeen), and Billy Koumetio (US Dunkerque) were all permitted to leave, and Nat Phillips joined Celtic on a four-month loan.
