Published: 15:26, 11 October 2025 | Updated: 15:26, 11 October 2025

Liverpool have been dealt a fresh blow after a key first-team star was forced to withdraw from international duty with injury on Saturday.

The Reds suffered three successive defeats in the build-up to October's international break, losing twice in the Premier League to Crystal Palace and Chelsea and falling to Galatasaray in the Champions League.

After their 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last Saturday, Liverpool conceded top spot to Arsenal in the table, casting a small doubt over their hopes of retaining the title next summer after shelling out a fortune on the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in the summer.

The club's misfortunes continued on Saturday as first-team centre-back Ibrahima Konate was forced to withdraw from France's World Cup qualifier against Iceland on Monday night.

Konate was forced off midway through Liverpool's defeat against Chelsea with a thigh injury but still joined Didier Deschamps' squad on international duty.

He took part in light training ahead of France's 3-0 win over Azerbaijan on Friday, before sitting on the bench for the...