Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate replaces injured Man Utd star Raphael Varane in France squad | Soccer

Varane suffered a hamstring problem in France’s surprise Nations League defeat by Denmark on Friday night and had to be substituted in the second half.

Konate, who has had an impressive debut season for Liverpool, will get a chance to impress for Les Bleus.

France will face Croatia and Austria twice in quick succession in the Nations League in June.

William Saliba was originally picked ahead of Konate, with Deschamps explaining the Arsenal loanee has more experience playing in a back three.

“But since he’s been at Liverpool he’s mostly played in a four-man defence. And there is competition [in the France team].’

“I brought William with me [Saliba] last time and he always plays in a back three. It’s either one or the other, it’s very competitive and that’s very good – it allows the veterans not to get too comfortable.

Konate’s first season with Liverpool ended in a Champions League final in Paris.

Jurgen Klopp’s side narrowly lost to Real Madrid in the final and Manchester City in the Premier League race, but the Reds still managed to win both domestic cup competitions.

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