- Ibrahima Konate was forced off injured in Liverpool’s clash with Sparta Prague
- Frenchman hobbled off just days before the crucial clash with Manchester City
- The great Klopp and Guardiola rivalry: who comes out on top in their last-ever league game? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Liverpool endured a defensive scare just days before facing Manchester City as Ibrahima Konate was forced off during their clash with Sparta Prague.
Jurgen Klopp‘s side comfortably took control in the Czech capital, with Alexis Mac Allister opening the scoring after just five minutes from the penalty spot.
Darwin Nunez then added two more goals for the visitors before the interval, reaching 50 goals as a Liverpool player and marking 1000 goals since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at the club in the process.
However the break would prove problematic for the Reds, as Joe Gomez was replaced by Conor Bradley.
Steve McManaman speculated that while it may have been a pre-planned change, the decision to replace Gomez could have been down to him suffering a knock in the half where he dramatically denied the hosts an equaliser.
Ibrahima Konate was forced off injured in Liverpool’s Europa League clash with Sparta Prague
The Frenchman was replaced by Virgil van Dijk after picking up a knock in the second half
Reds fans questioned why Klopp hadn’t made the switch at half-time with a crucial clash with Man City looming
Your browser does not support iframes.
Just minutes after his introduction, the youngster netted an own-goal that offered Brian Priske’s side a glimmer of hope.
While the Reds would once again take control of the clash, their injury fears would only worsen minutes later as Konate hobbled off to be replaced by Virgil van Dijk.
Konate’s injury comes as a huge blow for the Reds as they prepare to face Manchester City on Sunday.
Many Liverpool fans on social media criticised Klopp for not replacing the Frenchman at half-time with such a vital Premier League game just days away.
One wrote: ‘Why on earth did Klopp keep Konate on the pitch at HT?’
Another agreed: ‘Konate out for city. Thanks klopp’
A third fan added: ‘Konate getting injured is a huge blow. Been so important to us this season. Doubt he makes Sunday and that could be a real problem’
Another supporter noted: ‘Konate has never played a league game against city… It’s his 3rd season..’