Jurgen Klopp gives fresh update on major Liverpool injury concern ahead of Man City clash

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Ibrahima Konate will be assessed late after undergoing a scan on a muscle injury, with the defender a major doubt for Sunday's game against Manchester City.

Konate pulled up early in the second-half of Liverpool's 5-1 Europa League last-16 first-leg win against Sparta Prague on Thursday evening, appearing to have suffered a hamstring injury. The French defender received medical attention for several minutes on the pitch before being taken off.

Klopp revealed in the immediate aftermath that Konate felt another sprint may have caused a more serious injury. But with such a short turnaround before Sunday's visit of City to Anfield, the centre-back is awaiting the results of a scan and could be unavailable.

"Joe Gomez is fine. Ibou [Konate] I don't know," Klopp told reporters on Friday. "He was rather positive last night, thought he made the right decision at the moment but it doesn't mean a lot unfortunately. He will have a scan definitely and I don't have the results yet. Others are fine."

Konate could join the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak in the Liverpool treatment room with all expected to miss Sunday's game.

Alexander-Arnold won't be on the pitch come Sunday but the right-back added a little extra spice to the game amid claims that Liverpool's sole Premier League title meant more to them than City's several. Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias both hit back at the England star's comments but Klopp has backed his man.

“I am not sure how often we have to say in this club how often we respect City. Pep is the best manager in the world,” Klopp admitted. “I have a good life not being even close to that, incredible players, the best No.9, De Bruyne will go down in history with Steven Gerrard, imagine that conversation! Phil Foden, the best English player. 

“Trent understands that but he is a Liverpool fan, he stood on the sides before the pitch. Our slogan 'This Means More' means it means more to us. Two years ago, we had a parade after losing the Champions League the night before and the Premier League. Tell me a city that would do this where it looks like we won? 

“This club is special to us. So if we feel it, why not say it? I am not really interested [in outside opinions]. It's how he feels. I got told about it. I am pretty sure he showed total respect as well. Man City the most successful in years and maybe Europe. Ridiculous record. Means a lot for their people I am sure. 

“Maybe for us it's because we didn't win that many. It's not that we win five and then six and the fifth was better. That's it. You love these interviews when someone says what they think and the whole world [reacts]. It's still allowed to think what we want. Nothing wrong with what Trent said in my view."