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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Jurgen Klopp, Darwin Nunez, Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool, Ajax, Champions League, Napoli