Liverpool’s 2-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid on Wednesday proved to be both a triumph and a potential setback, as Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley both picked up injuries.
Bradley, who earned praise from manager Arne Slot for his performance in neutralizing Kylian Mbappe, was forced off in the 87th minute after injuring his hamstring. Konate, meanwhile, completed the full match but was helped off the pitch after a collision with Madrid substitute Endrick.
Post-match, Slot commented, “We know now where they have pain, but it’s difficult to judge so close after the game. This is what happens in the season. I’m really hoping both of them are available to play [on Sunday], but if not, somebody else has to step up, and so far everybody has stepped up this season.”
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The concern over these injuries is heightened by Liverpool’s upcoming fixture against Premier League champions Manchester City. Despite City’s recent struggles, including a humiliating defeat to Feyenoord, Liverpool cannot afford to ease off ahead of Sunday’s Anfield showdown.
Bradley was replaced by Joe Gomez during the Madrid match, with Gomez a solid but less dynamic alternative. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for two-and-a-half weeks, was fit enough to make the bench but not start.
Gomez could also step in for Konate if necessary, though Jarell Quansah had been ahead of Konate in the pecking order at the start of the season. Since then, Konate has firmly established himself as a key figure alongside Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool’s defense.