
Liverpoolâs worries at the back grew worse on Saturday as Ibrahima KonatĂ© was forced off during the Redsâ painful 2-1 loss to Chelsea â a result that deepened concerns about the teamâs already fragile defensive depth.The French centre-back appeared uncomfortable midway through the second half, limping after a sprint. Manager Arne Slot later revealed that KonatĂ© had complained of feeling something in his quadriceps, prompting an immediate decision to withdraw him.> âWhen a player starts limping after a sprint, all the alarm bells go off,â Slot admitted. âHe told me he felt something in his quad, and I couldnât risk him making it worse. Sometimes itâs better to take precaution than face a bigger problem later.âThe Liverpool boss added that the substitution had partly been planned for tactical reasons, noting that he had wanted more creativity from the right centre-back area â a role he believes Ryan Gravenberch could fill effectively.> âIt might turn out to be nothing serious,â Slot continued, âbut it was clear he needed to come off.âThe timing, however, couldnât have been worse. With Alisson already sidelined and several defenders unavailable, Slotâs options in central defence are becoming dangerously limited.Liverpool will now anxiously await updates on KonatĂ©âs condition, hoping the early substitution proves to have prevented a more serious injury.