Ibrahima Konate’s substitution in Liverpool’s emphatic victory over Sparta Prague was only a precaution, Jurgen Klopp has revealed.
Liverpool thrashed Sparta 5-1 to take a commanding lead in the last-16 tie before the second leg at Anfield next week.
Alexis Mac Allister scored from the penalty spot, followed by a double from Darwin Nunez before the break. Sparta got a consolation goal through Conor Bradley’s own goal, but Luis Diaz quickly restored the three-goal margin and Dominik Szoboszlai sealed the win with the last touch of the game.
The only concern for Liverpool was an injury scare in the second half, when Konate went down and had to be replaced by Virgil van Dijk.
However, Klopp dismissed any injury worries ahead of Sunday’s vital Premier League match against Manchester City.
“Ibou said to me ‘if I do another sprint, it could be set’,” the Liverpool boss said.
“Should be fine but we don’t know.”
Joe Gomez was withdrawn at half-time in Prague and replaced by Bradley, who turned the ball into his own net with his first touch of the match.
On the decision to bring Gomez off, Klopp confirmed: “[He] is fine, played a lot, rotation.”
Nunez had a brilliant night, scoring two stunning goals for the away team before being substituted early in the second half.
He has been involved in 27 goals for Liverpool this season, with 16 goals and 11 assists in all competitions. His manager lauded his performance after the game.
“He had a more than OK first season but had to adapt,” Klopp said.
“Wonderful boy, loves playing for this club with his boys and has quality coming out his ears. It’s like strikers are. Is he at his peak? Not yet. Can he develop? Yes. But he’s always a threat.”