Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that centre-back Ibrahima Konate will be fit to return for Wednesday's Premier League showdown with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The France international has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury in the Reds' FA Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on January 29, missing his side's last five games in all tournaments.
Konate's hamstring problem represented the defender's second injury setback of the season following a severe knee issue sustained in pre-season, and he has played just 10 times in Liverpool colours this term.
The 23-year-old did take part in training before the weekend's draw against Crystal Palace, but he was not considered for selection, having only just returned to full practice with his teammates.
However, Klopp confirmed to the media on Tuesday afternoon that Konate should be in contention to make his comeback during the visit of Wolves barring any late setbacks.
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Joe Gomez remains sidelined with the issue he picked up against Real Madrid, though, with Klopp saying: "Ibou trained now completely normal. Should be absolutely OK for the squad at least. Joe is out."
The return of Konate will be welcomed with open arms by Klopp, as Joel Matip failed to cover himself in glory during the weekend's drab stalemate against Crystal Palace, where he partnered FIFA FIFPRO Men's World XI member Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman flew to Paris for FIFA's The Best Awards 2022 ceremony, where he was named as one of three defenders in the Men's World XI alongside Achraf Hakimi and Joao Cancelo.
Van Dijk has been unable to showcase his best form during the 2022-23 season, but taking his achievements from the past year into account, Klopp affirmed that his place in the team is fully justified.
"It wasn't based on the last four or five performances, but on the last year and it's fully deserved. He asked if he could go and I said of course. He was back last night. It's great," Klopp added.
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Liverpool did not pick up any fresh injury concerns from the weekend's draw with Crystal Palace, but Darwin Nunez's shoulder problem kept him out alongside Calvin Ramsay, Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara, while Arthur played for the Under-21s.
Nunez sustained his shoulder injury against Newcastle United and was cleared to play in the Champions League versus Real Madrid, but the striker missed the trip to Selhurst Park after experiencing a fresh bout of pain.
However, Klopp revealed that Nunez had trained with the team on Monday and could be in contention to play, and he also had a positive update to share on Diaz's recovery.
"Darwin trained yesterday with us. Let's see if it's good enough for being part of the squad," Klopp said. "Lucho [is] looking good. I just watched him now training with the rehab guys and that looks really good – but he was not in team training yet, so that will take a while. And Thiago, in the moment, is doing his rehab."
Liverpool enter the midweek round of fixtures lying seventh in the Premier League table, and victory over Wolves would take them above Fulham - who have played two games more - on goal difference.
Ben Knapton
