Arne Slot doubts returning Liverpool star will be fit for Tottenham Carabao Cup clash
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Ibrahima Konate returned to the Liverpool starting XI against Manchester United on Sunday but Arne Slot does not expect him to be ready to play again on Wednesday. The French defender had been out of action since late November with a knee injury but was back in the team for the visit of the Red Devils.
![[Liverpool FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192515725.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
It was a surprisingly busy game for the centre-back as Manchester United impressed in a 2-2 draw at Anfield. The Reds are back in action on Wednesday in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham in north London and Slot says Konate is unlikely to be risked so quickly after returning to fitness.
![[West Ham United FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2191767343.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The Dutchman was asked why the 25-year-old was straight back in the starting line-up at the weekend and said: ‘Because he was fit. ‘If he wouldn’t [have been] then we wouldn’t have started him, then he doesn’t train with us. The moment he starts to train with the team he is fit again.
‘It is not to say that he can immediately play two games a week, but he can definitely play 90 minutes, like he showed today. Like you saw, except for the first game when I chose [Jarell] Quansah, all the other games when Ibou was fit he started, so that’s the answer I think to your question. The moment he is fit, he can start.
‘But if you have been out for such a long time it’s difficult to immediately play then two games a week, so it must not come as a surprise if he doesn’t play on Wednesday. But he played today for 90 minutes and I think he showed in that 90 minutes that he was ready to play.’.
