Liverpool are likely to be without Ibrahima Konate when they take on Newcastle this evening, according to the Daily Mail reporter Craig Hope.
The defender was a doubt heading into the game at St James’ Park due to a muscular injury and it appears he won’t be available to face the Magpies.
Most fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) are not particularly bothered by the injury news, as they feel that Eddie Howe’s side are capable of beating any team in the Premier League on their day:
We're gonna run over them.
— Ginger Tonali (@GingerPirlo_) August 26, 2023
Show them
No respect tommorow – let’s bully them for the full 90.— ToonDawg ⚫️⚪️ NUFC 🏴 (@irontoon_gym) August 26, 2023
Give it to emmmmm
— Geordie123 (@Geordie12381426) August 26, 2023
Isak will have a field day without Konate’s pace
— BillinghamMag (@BillinghamMag) August 26, 2023
they took 6 point's of us last season in one of their worst seasons for a while. it doesn't matter who starts for them it's going to be a tough tough game
— Jamie (@tyneassociation) August 26, 2023
Konate’s absence should hand Newcastle an advantage
Since the start of last season, Liverpool have been pretty vulnerable at the back. One of the reasons for that is that they leave large spaces for their centre-backs to cover.
That problem was exacerbated when Trent Alexander-Arnold was moved into an inverted fullback role, and it means there is a heavy onus on Konate’s pace and strength to ensure the backline is not exposed.
Without the Frenchman, the Reds have looked prone to conceding, and his potential replacement Joel Matip is not particularly well-equipped that do what is asked of him. The Magpies will be looking to make inroads down his side of the pitch tonight.
Making up for last season
Eddie Howe’s men only lost five times in the Premier League last campaign, but two of those were against Liverpool.
They will feel that this evening’s match at St James’ Park is a perfect opportunity to put things right, and Konate’s absence should help them do that.
You can watch a preview of this weekend’s Premier League games on Shots! TV here
