It's time for your Liverpool FC morning digest on Friday, May 20.
Didier Deschamps explains harsh Ibrahima Konate France snub
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has not been named in France's latest international squad because he plays in a four-man defence.
The 22-year-old is yet to lose a single match for the Reds since joining from RB Leipzig last summer. The imposing centre-back already has two medals to his name at Afield and could yet finish the season as a Champions League or Premier League winner. But despite his impressive achievements, French national team manager Didier Deschamps prefers to deploy a three-man rear-guard and that has seen Konate miss out this time, with William Saliba preferred.
World Cup-winner Deschamps said: "Yes, I’m following [Konate], he’s in a team which is competing in the Champions League final and for the title in England. But since he’s been at Liverpool, he’s mostly played in a four-man defence and there is competition [in the France team]. I brought William [Saliba] last time and he always plays in a back three. It’s either one or the other, it’s very competitive, and that’s very good. It allows for the veterans to not get too comfortable."
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Saliba is currently on loan from Arsenal at Ligue 1 side Marseilles, where boss Jorge Sampaoli plays the defender in a 3-3-1-3 shape alongside Luan Peres and Duje Caleta-Car.
Read the full story HERE.
Fabinho gives Liverpool injury update with 'physically and mentally tired' admission
Fabinho has handed Liverpool an injury boost after confirming he’ll be fit to play in the Champions League final later this month.
The Brazilian limped off with a hamstring injury in the Reds’ 2-1 victory over Aston Villa last week, and missed the FA Cup final against Chelsea and Tuesday’s win over Southampton as a result, while he’s also a doubt for the final Premier League game of the season against Wolves.
Despite the injury setback, Jurgen Klopp confirmed the club were hopeful that the midfielder would be fit in time to feature against his former club Real Madrid on May 28. And Fabinho has now ruled himself fit for the Champions League final in Paris.
“Yes, I will be there... to play,” he told AS . “We are working and recovering to be ready for that final. I am very calm and very confident that I will be there, so we have to keep working and resting to be at the best physical level for May 28.”
Read the full story HERE.
