Report: Whether Konate is expected to join up with France squad following injury scare for Liverpool

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Ibrahima Konate was substituted in the 56th minute during Liverpool’s loss to Chelsea.The Reds had a very tough week after losing three successive games for the first time since Arne Slot took over.First it was to Crystal Palace, then to Galatasaray in the Champions League, with the latest being to Chelsea after conceding in the 96th minute.If that was not bad enough, they have also suffered a few injuries and scares over the past seven days, with Alisson Becker being the biggest concern after being ruled out until after the international break.A few other players could miss the games for their country too, with Konate perhaps one of them after being taken off with a potential quad issue at Stamford Bridge.An update has been issued, however, with the full extent of the injury set to be revealed very soon.Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesIbrahima Konate still expected to go on international duty with FranceThere is no denying that Liverpool have been underperforming so far this season, with almost every player being very under-par.Perhaps the most disappointing of them all has been Konate, though, with the Frenchman struggling a lot at the start of the campaign and playing nowhere to the level fans know he is capable of.However, due to the Reds’ lack of options in this department, his availability is still vital, with his substitution at the weekend being a worrying sign.But according to La Parisien, the defender is still set to join up with the France squad on international duty later this week, indicating that it is not a serious injury.READ MORE: Subtle Arne Slot message vs Chelsea suggests ‘vital’ player is no longer wanted at LiverpoolThey report that Konate will undergo further scans on Monday as a precaution, but he should be fit to face Azerbaijan and Iceland if needed.It is certainly good news for Liverpool, although as France could officially qualify for the 2026 World Cup with wins in these games, they might risk him and leave the Reds worried that it might get worse.Ibrahima Konate needs to step upKonate is very lucky that Liverpool do not have many options at the back because if they had signed Marc Guehi for example, then he would have very likely been replaced by the Englishman.Not only has he been poor on the ball, but he has also been ‘bullied’ at times by strikers who like to use their body, something that should not be happening given the Frenchman’s stature.So over the international break, Konate certainly needs to find a balance between performing well and having a rest so that he can come back looking closer to the player he was last season.It is also more important than ever as Liverpool’s next match is at Anfield against Manchester United, a game they simply cannot lose.