Klopp criticises Deschamps’ management of Konaté

Speaking after Liverpool’s comfortable 5-1 victory over Toulouse FC in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night, Jürgen Klopp explained the absence of Ibrahima Konaté (24) and took the opportunity to criticise France manager Didier Deschamps’ handling of the centre-back.

Konaté’s absence was not felt at Anfield on Thursday night, as Liverpool strode to a comfortable victory over Le TéFéCé. Thijs Dallinga gave the Merseyside club a small scare when he cancelled out Diogo Jota’s opener in the first half, but Liverpool then went on to score four without reply to retain top spot in their Europa League group and inflict a first defeat on Toulouse.

Speaking to French media, Klopp then explained Konaté’s absence, pointing out the prominent role that the centre-back played for France in the most recent international break, which included victories over the Netherlands and Scotland. “He did not start tonight. He’s not even in the squad. I love absolutely everything about Ibou, but the problem is that Ibou has injury problems from time to time, and Monsieur Deschamps played him 90 and 87 minutes in the two games so we’ve used this time now to give him a little rest. He could have played tonight of course but he has to play on Sunday again,” began Klopp in a post-match interview with RMC Sport.

He added, “I told Ibou, tell Monsieur Deschamps, that’s how you rest a player. Not just three minutes. But we are more than happy with Ibou. [He is a] fantastic boy and a super player and France can be really happy to have him.”

Liverpool face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday, before an EFL Cup encounter against Bournemouth on Wednesday evening.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle