Blow for Liverpool! France star sent home from international camp after failing to recover from injury in Premier League loss to Chelsea

Premier League champions Liverpool have been dealt a blow after centre-back Ibrahima Konate was sent home from the France camp during the international break. Konate was called up by Les Bleus despite being forced off in the 56th minute of the Reds' 2-1 loss at Chelsea last weekend. The Liverpool star made the bench against Azerbaijan but won't travel to Iceland next week.

Getty Images SportKonate forced off against Chelsea

Liverpool were already worrying about Konate after he walked straight down the tunnel early in the second half of the 2-1 loss at Chelsea last weekend. With Geovanni Leoni a long-term absentee, Arne Slot opted to replace the Frenchman with Curtis Jones rather than Joe Gomez, which saw midfielder Ryan Gravenberch drop in alongside compatriot Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.

Even so, Konate linked with the France squad at the start of the week to be assessed by the national team doctors. However, having missed the 3-0 win over Azerbaijan on Friday night, the centre-back has been released back to his club earlier than expected.

"Ibrahima Konate will not take part in France’s match against Iceland on Monday," a statement read on Liverpool's official website on Saturday.

"The Liverpool centre-back missed ’ win over Azerbaijan on Friday and it has now been announced that he is not available for their next match in Reykjavik."

Meanwhile, the official France website released the following on Konate's return to Merseyside: "Injured in the right quadriceps during his last match with Liverpool, Ibrahima Konate has followed a treatment and protocol since his arrival this Monday but will not be able to take his place against Iceland."

Advertisement'I don't know if it is a big injury'

After appearing to limp while clutching at his thigh, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot made the decision to withdraw Konate as a precaution early in the second half at Chelsea last weekend. The Dutchman is hopeful that they caught the problem early and that it's nothing serious.

"I don't know if it is a big injury, but what I do know is he limped a little bit and when I asked him he said he felt his quad a little bit. Then, for me, all alarm bells go off because in another sprint you never know if that is going to go good," Slot said of the decision to sub the centre-back off at Stamford Bridge.

"It was also already a substitution I had in mind, maybe for a few minutes or a little bit later, because the right centre-back had a lot of ball possession and we needed to create from that position. We all know Ryan [Gravenberch] is quite good in that.

"It might be OK that he went off early enough but it was clear I had to take him off because he was limping."

AFPKonate absence another blow for France

William Saliba started alongside Dayot Upamecano against Azerbaijan on Friday night and while the duo contained their attacking threat with ease, Konate's absence left Les Bleus at risk of being short of defensive quality for Monday's game against Iceland. As such, Marseille defender Benjamin Pavard has been called up as his replacement.

However, France's comfortable home win against Azerbaijan came at a cost as captain Kylian Mbappe was forced off late on owing to an ankle injury. Mbappe was already carrying an ankle knock from Real Madrid's victory over Villarreal prior to the international break and walked off the Parc des Princes pitch gingerly, prompting concerns he'd miss the game against Iceland.

"It's the same ankle he injured. The pain goes away when he rests," Deschamps initially said of the injury. "In a match, contact is inevitable. We will evaluate it. He has concerns that are not ideal for him."

Man Utd welcome up next for Liverpool

Konate may have returned to Liverpool from international duty early but it remains to be seen when he'll next be available for Slot. Liverpool welcome rivals Manchester United in their first game back after the international break.

The Reds take on Ruben Amorim's side as they look to bounce back following three successive defeats having lost at Crystal Palace and Galatasaray prior to last weekend's loss at Chelsea.

The 26-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, has started all seven league games to date for the defending champions. Liverpool resume domestic duties one point behind league leaders Arsenal, while Gunners get their title push back underway with a trip to Fulham next weekend.