Klopp plays down Konate injury concern ahead City clash

Jurgen Klopp claims Ibrahima Konate's injury withdrawal during Liverpool's 5-1 Europa League win over Sparta Prague was merely a precaution.

The Reds eased to a last 16 first-leg victory in the Czech capital but there were big fears when Konate pulled up at the start of the second half.

Klopp claims the injury is not severe but he is still a little bit unsure about the France international's availability for the vital top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City on Sunday.

The German coach told TNT Sports: "We don't know yet.

"Ibou said to me when he passed me in that moment, 'I thought if I do another sprint then it could be bad.'

"He should be fine [to play on Sunday] but we don't know. Joe Gomez is fine, he has played a lot, [the substitution was] rotation.

"So let's see with Ibou. His substitution was precautionary."

Darwin Nunez was the star of the show in Liverpool's impressive Prague victory, the Uruguayan striker bagging two more goals.

And the first of them, a right-footed strike from distance, was the 1,000th of Klopp's Liverpool reign.

The Reds boss was very complimentary about the striker's form, adding: "He [Nunez] had absolutely more than an OK first season but he had to adapt, that's done and now he's settled in the middle of the team.

"He loves to play for this team together with these boys and has quality coming out of his ears to be honest.

"It's like strikers are, they score and then they don’t score. Is he at his absolute peak in general? Not now for us.

"But can he develop? Yes. Is he a threat all the time? Yes.

"He has the most important attitude a striker needs to have. He missed chances but all strikers are doing that and he is not bothered by it, just keeps going.

"When he's not scoring he for us is incredibly important as he is a constant threat and gives us spaces in areas and options."