Liverpool are expected to have a much stronger squad on their return to action, with Ibrahima Konate the last to bounce back after a long break.
Konate has yet to feature for the Reds this season, having been forced off midway through their 3-0 loss to Strasbourg in the final game of pre-season.
The Frenchman has therefore missed almost two months, with a knee problem suffered at Anfield, one of the many setbacks for Jurgen Klopp’s team already this season.
In his absence, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips have teamed up with Virgil van Dijk at the back, having just two clean sheets in nine games.
Having finished his first season in imperious form, showing his potential as a world-class defender, Konate has certainly been missed.
But according to French outlet RMC Sport, the 23-year-old “has just been given the green light by Liverpool’s medical staff for a possible return to the team next weekend against Brighton.”
It was already known that Konate had returned to light training before the international break, but 17 days between games have allowed him to recover his form before joining his teammates.
As it stands, Klopp will have five fit centre-backs to choose from, although he is likely to take a cautious approach to Konate given the nature of his injury.
Matip has impressed having returned from trouble of his own, taking over from Gomez after an abject display from the Englishman during a 4-1 humiliation at Napoli on September 7.
The availability of Liverpool’s No. 32 should allow Klopp to ease Konate’s return, though with nine games to come in October alone, there should be no shortage of opportunities.
Jordan Henderson also recovered from a hamstring injury to return during the break, while Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson, Caoimhin Kelleher and Calvin Ramsay are not believed to be far behind.
There have been no new injuries spotted by Liverpool internationals so far, with Mohamed Salah cleared to return early from Egypt duty to rest and the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino unused.
