Konate leaves Liverpool squad before UCL tie as he returns to France

Under pressure Liverpool head coach Arne Slot faces fresh selection problems after Ibrahima Konate missed their open training session before Wednesday night's clash against Marseille

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has returned to France for family reasons and is a doubt for the crunch Champions League clash with Marseille. The centre-back was absent from the Reds' open training session at their training ground in Kirkby but it remains to be seen whether he will join his teammates in France before Tuesday's clash.

Arne Slot is facing increasing pressure after their 1-1 draw with Burnley meant that this season, Liverpool failed to beat any of the Premier League newcomers for the first time since 1981. The Dutchman has come under fire as the Reds sit way off pace-setters Arsenal and find themselves in the battle to qualify for next season's Champions League, as well as progressing in this season's competition.

Liverpool travel to Marseille to take on Roberto De Zerbi's side, needing a point to secure their place in the playoff positions. However, the six-time winners will want to finish in the top eight and avoid the extra matches in the competition.

They may have to do so without Konate. The France international was a notable absentee from their open training session on Tuesday and it has been reported that he has returned to his homeland for personal reasons.

The Athletic's James Pearce posted on X, formerly Twitter: "Ibrahima Konate back in France for family reasons. Remains to be seen whether he links up with the squad in Marseille."

Liverpool are already weathering depleted defensive numbers with Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley sidelined for the remainder of the season after both players suffered serious knee injuries. Konate had deputised alongside captain Virgil van Dijk for the majority of the season but the limited options at Anfield has left the Reds teetering on the edge of a crisis at the back.

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Joe Gomez has been forced to spend time on the sidelines at different points in the season but he was in training on Tuesday and could be used as Konate's replacement. But Liverpool will have to be careful after managing his minutes since he was forced off after 26 minutes against Brighton & Hove Albion on December 13.

Since then, he has managed 62 minutes across three matches - the lion's share coming in last Monday's FA Cup win over Barnsley. But he was an unused substitute for Saturday's draw with the Clarets. Liverpool endured disappointment already this month after summer transfer target Marc Guehi signed for rivals Manchester City.

The Reds saw the plug pulled on their deal to sign the Crystal Palace defender in August before opting to wait until the summer for the 25-year-old's contract to expire. However, City hijacked their pursuit and signed the defender this month as they look to arrest their own defensive problems after injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.

Liverpool can call on Ryan Gravenberch or Wataru Endo as options in defence but without Konate, the reigning Premier League champions have just one senior, recognised central defender in Gomez at their disposal. Slot left the door open for a possible January addition but admitted that they will not be pushed into panic buying.

He said: "I think this club has always shown, similar to bringing players in, that we never say no. This club has always shown that if another club makes the right offer, and we think it is the right offer and a good offer – and I don’t include only me, I include the sporting directors and our owners – then we can make a decision we all agree on.

"But at this moment in time, we are working with the players we have. So that is something, you know how this club works, too. Everyone is talking about our £450m spend [last summer] and everyone is forgetting we sold for £300m.

"I cannot blame anyone because I think we, Liverpool, are quite an exception to selling. Usually, most Premier League clubs only buy, and that is why it is such an unbelievable accomplishment. It is so well run, this club, so it can perform at the level it has in recent years."

Liverpool sit fourth in the Premier League table, one point clear of Manchester United, two of Chelsea and three clear of Brentford, Newcastle and Sunderland, respectively.