Arsenal discover Liverpool title race blow as Arne Slot provides Ibrahima Konate injury update

Arne Slot has provided an injury update on Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley ahead of Liverpool's clash against Manchester City. The Reds will host the Premier League champions at Anfield on Sunday afternoon in what could prove to be a title-defining fixture.

This weekend, Liverpool will be determined to extend their lead at the top of the table. The Merseyside outfit have already established an eight point advantage over Pep Guardiola's side, who head into the heavyweight bout six games without a win.

As for Chelsea and Arsenal, Liverpool are nine points adrift. While the Reds may have a skip in their step, they could be without two key players. Bradley, who made a great impression in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, appeared to suffer a hamstring injury during the Red's win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The 21-year-old defender was forced off in the final minutes of the European tie, and he was replaced by Joe Gomez. Then, after the full-time whistle, Konate was spotted limping off the pitch; the Frenchman was dealt a heavy knock to his leg in the second half, resulting in a caution for Endrick.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, Slot was asked for an update on the duo. He said: "They are still being assessed so difficult to see how they are. Let's wait and see. But it's never a good sign.

"Conor we had to take him off and Ibou didn't walk off the pitch as he should after the fantastic game he played. Not a good sign. They are still being assessed, I can't tell you exactly where they are this weekend and after that."

That said, Slot confirmed that Alexander-Arnold is available for selection again after suffering a hamstring injury against Aston Villa earlier this November. The Dutchman said: "Trent is fit enough to start."

Liverpool were without Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas and Federico Chiesa on Wednesday night; they're all likely to be absent once more on Sunday. Meanwhile, the title race is building a head of steam and Mikel Arteta wants his side to 'show their teeth'.

Earlier this month, he said: "Win, win and win because these guys, they don’t stop winning, so that’s what we have to do. When it gets nasty, show your teeth and show how much you want it.

"When it’s Disneyland, it’s easy, everyone is next to you and telling you how beautiful you are and when it gets dark and difficult, everyone is questioning it. That’s when I want to see people, that’s when I’m always looking around.

"There is nothing we can change today about that [the league table]. What I am just praying [for] is that after the international break I have the team fully equipped physically, they are available and they are fit because it has been an absolute nightmare for eight weeks."

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