Ibrahima Konate preparing to make debut for Liverpool in today’s clash with Crystal Palace

Jurgen Klopp will reportedly hand centre-back Ibrahima Konate his debut for Liverpool this afternoon as they host Crystal Palace in the Premier League, according to The Athletic.

Fans had expected the former RB Leipzig defender to start the Reds’ Champions League match against AC Milan mid-week, but Joe Gomez was given the nod alongside Joel Matip while Virgil Van Dijk was rested.

The Dutchman was unsurprisingly given the night off after playing every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign so far, after making his return from a cruciate ligament injury against Norwich last month.

Gomez had also endured a long spell on the sidelines after rupturing his patella tendon on England duty last November, but the 24-year-old was still preferred to Konate in their 3-2 victory over AC Milan.

Konate is yet to feature for Liverpool in a competitive fixture since joining the Merseyside club in May. The Reds triggered a £36 million release clause in th 22-year-old’s contract with Leipzig after being left with a threadbare defence due to injuries.

Klopp has been known for rotating his squad since he joined Liverpool from Borussia Dortmund and could do exactly that against Crystal Palace to offer Konate his long awaited debut.

Following the Frenchman’s arrival at Liverpool at the ned of last season, Jurgen Klopp said: “We are signing a player who will add to the quality we already have. His physical attributes are very impressive; he is quick, he is very strong, and he is dominant in the air.”

The Reds take on Crystal Palace today in a 3pm kick-off and will be hoping to make it four wins out of five in the Premier League.