Liverpool handed major injury boost for Manchester United FA Cup clash

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted that defender Ibrahima Konate has a "good chance" of featuring in next week's FA Cup clash with Manchester United.

The centre-back missed Sunday's entertaining 1-1 draw with Manchester City after being forced off in the Europa League win over Sparta Prague. Konate was replaced by Virgil van Dijk in the Czech Republic before being left out of the squad at the weekend.

He's likely to sit out of Thursday's European second leg but any hopes of him featuring in next weekend's FA Cup clash with United were handed a boost on Sunday. The Reds welcome Erik ten Hag's men to Anfield looking to book another trip to Wembley.

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Speaking after the draw with Man City, Klopp provided a brief update on the 24-year-old. "Ibou has a chance for United," he said. "A good chance."

Konate has been a mainstay in Klopp's defence this season alongside Van Dijk. However, Jarell Quansah put in another impressive display against Erling Haaland and City.

Van Dijk was very vocal about the youngster after the game. "He played very well, it’s a nice story," he said. "When he came in during preseason, coming back from loan, you wouldn’t have thought that he’d be helping us play for the title but every challenge that was thrown his way, he dealt with outstandingly.

"The sky is the limit for him and he just needs to keep his head down, keep humble and keep improving because there’ll be a lot of bumps along the way as well."