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Arne Slot has confirmed that Ibrahima Konate is available to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
The Liverpool defender was sent off at half-time against Brighton on Saturday, with Slot revealing after the match that Konate was in “a lot of pain”.
This has raised the possibility that Konate will be sidelined, but the centre-back is in contention for Tuesday night’s clash against Leverkusen at Anfield.
“He’s available to play,” Slot said during his press conference Tuesday.
“I think he is fully recovered and can play. Then it’s up to me to decide whether he plays or not. He’s in a good place.”
Liverpool have made a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, winning their opening three matches, and that already leaves them on course to secure a top eight finish and a place in the last 16.
The Reds also sit top of the Premier League, two points clear of Manchester City and six clear of the rest of the league, having come from behind to beat Brighton.
Slot admitted he was frustrated with his side’s first-half performance against the Seagulls, warning they needed to be at their best from the first whistle against Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side.
“It’s very important because football is played in two moments, with and without the ball,” Slot said.
“If you play against strong teams you have to be good on both ends. We were poor in the first half with and without the ball against Brighton.
“It shows us that we need a performance like in the second half because Leverkusen are at least equal to Brighton with the ball.”
