"He is ready" - Klopp could finally unleash "wonderful" Liverpool player against Ajax tonight

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could finally give minutes to towering centre-back Ibrahima Konaté when the Reds take on Ajax in the Champions League this evening.

Klopp’s side travel to Amsterdam knowing they need just a point to secure second spot in Group A, and progress into the knockout stages of Europe’s premier competition.

If they lose however, Liverpool will require a point against Napoli at Anfield on November 1 to be certain of advancing into the last-16.

Going into the tie the Reds have been handed a boost with both Konaté and striker Darwin Nunez having returned to training after their respective muscle and hamstring injuries.

While the centre-back has been sidelined since October 12, Klopp admitted he could make a much anticipated return this evening.

Speaking to the Liverpool media team, Klopp said: “Yes, he [Konaté] is here. Ready to play minutes, I would say.

“He could play the first minutes but that would not make much sense, so minutes yes.”

The France international has been a colossus at the heart of the Liverpool defence, since making a £36million switch from RB Leipzig in 2021.

Konaté’s brilliant distribution and composure at the back has led to praise from some of Liverpool’s most influential voices.

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson labelled the player an “absolute dream” in April, adding in an Off the Ball interview: “He’s a wonderful player.”

Meanwhile Uruguay forward Nunez, who has three goals in his past four appearances, may also return to action tonight.

The club record £85million transfer missed Liverpool’s weekend defeat to Nottingham Forest due to a muscle problem.

However, midfield maestro Thiago Alcantara is still recovering from an ear infection that ruled him out of the weekend’s 1-0 loss, and will not feature this evening.