Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate faces a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury ahead of his side’s crucial clash against Manchester City on Sunday.

The centre-back had been excellent in a commanding 2-0 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday but appeared to suffer a knee issue right at the end of the match.

Konate limped off after full-time with manager Arne Slot admitting it was “not a good sign” that he could not join his team-mates on a lap of applause around the Anfield pitch.

Konate, who has formed an impressive partnership alongside Virgil van Dijk in the Liverpool defence, appeared to rule himself out of the match against City on Sunday at the very least.

Liverpool are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table and would move 11 points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side with a victory at Anfield. It comes ahead of a busy run of games in December for the Reds.

Posting on Instagram, Konate, who has been prone to fitness issues since his move to Anfield, said. “So frustrating to pick up this injury right at the end of a great game on Wednesday night.

“Now we start the recovery process but one thing I promise is I will come back and be the best I can be once again. Thank you for the amazing support at Anfield. Inshallah we will keep going and I will support the team every step of the way.”

Liverpool play nine times in December, with seven Premier league matches as well as the trip to Girona in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton.

Jarrell Quansah or Joe Gomez could replace Konate against Manchester City, which will mean a face-off with Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland.

Liverpool have the Premier League’s best defence this season, with only eight goals conceded in 12 games, and Konate and Van Dijk have started the majority of those matches.

Conor Bradley will continue to be assessed but Trent Alexander-Arnold is fit to start.