Liverpool will head into Wednesday night’s Champions League meeting with Qarabag without several key figures, with Ibrahima Konate the most notable name missing from Arne Slot’s squad for the crucial encounter.
The French centre-back of Malian descent has been ruled out for personal reasons, compounding a growing injury and availability crisis at the back for the Reds.
The absence of Konate comes at a delicate moment in Liverpool’s European campaign. Sitting fourth on 15 points, a victory over Qarabag would secure automatic qualification for the round of 16 and spare Slot’s side the uncertainty of a playoff tie.
That incentive adds extra weight to a fixture Liverpool would normally expect to navigate comfortably.
Defensive concerns deepen
Konate is not the only defensive option unavailable. Giovanni Leoni remains sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Joe Gomez is nursing an unspecified knock. Conor Bradley is also ruled out with a knee problem, leaving Slot short of experienced cover across the back line.
With senior options depleted, attention may turn to 19-year-old Amara Nallo, who could again be called upon to provide depth.
The young defender has already endured a turbulent introduction to first-team football, having been sent off in two of his first appearances against Crystal Palace and PSV Eindhoven, underlining both his rawness and the risks involved.
Pressure to respond
Liverpool arrive in Azerbaijan looking to bounce back after a disappointing Premier League defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend. That setback followed an impressive European performance against Marseille, where Slot’s side cruised to victory and showcased their attacking sharpness.
Further forward, Liverpool will once again lean on Hugo Ekitike to lead the line. Alexander Isak remains unavailable after suffering an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture in late December. Slot has confirmed the striker is expected to return later in the season, though not before next month.
