Ibrahima Konaté injury confirmed: How long with the defender be out and what games will he miss?

The French defender limped off the pitch after the 2-0 Champions League match against Real Madrid. A concern for Slot ahead of City's visit.

While Liverpool's players basked in the glow of beating the reigning European champions and celebrated a 2-0 home win over Real Madrid on Wednesday night, one member of the team couldn't.

After the final whistle blew at Anfield, Ibrahima Konaté remained on the ground receiving treatment. The French centre-back came off worst when he came back with Van Dijk and shielded the ball from Endrick in the final move of the match. Unfortunately, as the Madrid player struggled to win the ball, Konaté ended up on the ground with the Madrid player on top of him.

After being attended to by Liverpool medical staff, Ibou struggled to get to his feet and grimaced in pain as he staggered away unaided in obvious pain.

“Ibou didn't walk off the field like he should after such a fantastic match he played,” Slot told reporters at Thursday's press conference as Konaté and Conor Bradley were both tested. “He should have taken a lap of honor and the fans should have applauded, but unfortunately he didn't, so that's not a good sign.”

What knee injury did Konaté suffer?

Slots' worst fears were confirmed tonight by the player himself, who took to Instagram to provide an update:

“It is so frustrating to suffer this injury on Wednesday evening at the end of a great match. Now we start the recovery process, but one thing I promise is that I will come back and be the best I can be again. Thank you for the great support at Anfield. Inshallah we will continue and I will support the team every step of the way.”

Although Konaté did not provide specific details about his injury and the club has not yet released a medical report, it is clear from what he wrote that he will be out for a while. According to some reports, the defender will be out of action for five to six weeks, suggesting some sort of ligament damage to his right knee.

Tough matches: City, Newcastle, Everton…

More details will be announced, but for now Slot will be without one of his first-choice centre-backs for the most challenging run of games his side have faced so far this season.

First up is City at home, followed by Newcastle at St James Park, followed by a tour of the park to play Everton three days later in what could be the last Merseyside derby played at Goodison.

Girona is next in Europe

Slot's team is well placed in the Champions League and has three games left in the competition phase, one of which Konaté will miss: the trip to Girona on December 10.

Then there are the domestic cups. The Dutch manager will have to reshuffle his back four for the EFL Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton on December 18 and perhaps for the team's opening FA Cup match, scheduled for January 11. Liverpool will know who they will face in the Third Round during the draw on Monday evening (December 2).

In the meantime, Joe Gomez will make the switch to partner Van Dijk while Ibou recovers. The versatile defender has often found himself in a similar position, although he has seen limited action so far this season with just two starts, both in the Carabao Cup and a total of eight games between the Premier League and Champions League.

Jarell Quansah is another option for Slot as the games are coming out faster and faster. The 21-year-old started the season opener against Ipswich and played alongside Gomez in the Carabao Cup matches against West Ham and Brighton.