In the whirlwind of a packed fixture list, Liverpool have navigated choppy waters without one of their defensive rocks. Ibrahima Konate’s absence has tested Arne Slot’s squad depth, but whispers from the camp suggest the Frenchman’s return is imminent for Saturday’s clash with Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The 26-year-old centre-back has been on compassionate leave in France since the passing of his father, Hamady, last week. It’s a heartbreaking blow for any player, and Liverpool have handled it with the class you’d expect—prioritising Konate’s wellbeing over the pitch. He’s sat out the last three outings: that gritty 3-0 Europa League triumph over Marseille, the frustrating Premier League slip-up against Bournemouth, and Wednesday’s emphatic 6-0 Champions League rout of Qarabag at Anfield.

Slot’s side didn’t just cope; they improvised brilliantly. With Virgil van Dijk as the sole senior centre-half available against Qarabag, Ryan Gravenberch slotted into the backline, while Wataru Endo was thrust into right-back duties just four minutes in after Jeremie Frimpong’s hamstring tweak. It was a makeshift setup that could have unravelled, but the Reds turned it into a masterclass, dismantling the Azerbaijani side with clinical finishing and relentless pressing.

 

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on January 27, Slot addressed Konate’s situation with empathy:
“Of course I spoke to him. If you ask why he is not here, we both understand that he is facing a very tough time. I am hoping to get him back, but also not for tomorrow evening’s match.”

No rushed timelines here—the club knows grief doesn’t adhere to a schedule.

But hope flickers for the weekend. According to James Pearce of The Athletic, Konate is expected to rejoin the fold for the Newcastle trip. Pearce notes:
“Ibrahima Konate should be back from compassionate leave in time for Saturday, while Gomez has an outside chance of being fit and Curtis Jones is likely to have recovered from illness.”

That Qarabag demolition has locked in third spot in the Champions League league phase, securing automatic Round of 16 qualification. The Reds racked up 18 points from eight matches, trailing only Inter and Barcelona.

 

Potential foes? Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge, or Galatasaray, all of whom must scrap through the play-offs first. The draw unfolds this Friday, January 30, at UEFA’s Nyon HQ, with Liverpool seeded and eyeing a home second leg at Anfield in March.

Slot’s men are firing, blending steel with flair. Konate’s comeback could be the emotional spark that propels them further.