Jurgen Klopp's Key Center-Back To Miss Start Of Liverpool's 2022-23 Season: Full Details

Liverpool FC will be without their defender Ibrahima Konate for the start of the 2022-23 season.

Konate sustained an injury during Liverpool’s pre-season fixture against RC Strasbourg Alsace last Sunday at Anfield, according to a press release on the club’s official website.

The French center-back, who started the friendly fixture against Strasbourg, was forced off the field in the second half after picking up an unknown injury. Konate took to social media Thursday to reveal he will not be fit for selection for "some time" following the injury.

"Unfortunately, I have to spend some time off the pitch but it won’t be too long. In the meantime, I will be doing my best to come back even stronger and supporting the boys," Konate wrote on his official Instagram account.

The extent of Konate's injury is yet to be revealed. Soon after the match at Anfield on Sunday, head coach Jurgen Klopp said Konate’s knock did not look "too concerning."

"We don't know exactly yet on Ibou, but it doesn't look too concerning, so I hope we caught it at the right moment,” said Klopp.

Liverpool’s pre-season comprised five games, and Konate was a part of each of those fixtures. Out of the fixture matches, Liverpool won just two, against Crystal Palace and RB Leipzig, while they lost to Manchester United, RB Salzburg, and Strasbourg.

The Reds won the Community Shield by beating Manchester City 3-1 at King Power Stadium, Leicester. With that, Klopp completed his Domestic set: Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup, and Community Shield.

Konate moved from Leipzig to Liverpool last summer at $44 million, and made 29 competitive appearances for the Reds in his maiden season at Anfield. He struck a fine bond with Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool's central defense. Klopp had the luxury to rotate between Konate, Joel Matip, and Joe Gomez to partner with Van Dijk in the 2021-22 campaign.

Apart from Konate, a few other Liverpool players are recovering from injuries ahead of the Reds’ season-opener, which is against Fulham on Saturday (Aug. 6) at Craven Cottage.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who picked up an abdominal issue during their pre-season game against Manchester United in Bangkok, is expected to return in time for the Fulham game.

Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who recently signed a long-term contract with Liverpool, is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and Klopp admitted that the No. 20 will take time to return to full fitness.