Image Credits: Imago Images
France boss Didier Deschamps has provided an injury update on Ousmane Dembele after the winger was forced off during their friendly win over Brazil.
The two nations met in Massachusetts on Thursday, with France securing a 2-1 victory. Dembele played a key role, assisting Kylian Mbappe’s opening goal, but was substituted just before the hour mark following Dayot Upamecano’s red card, which prompted a tactical reshuffle and raised concerns over a potential thigh issue.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward has struggled with muscular problems at times this season, meaning any fresh injury would have been a significant concern – particularly with PSG set to face Liverpool in the Champions League next month.
However, Deschamps eased those fears after the match, suggesting the substitution was precautionary rather than the result of a serious injury.
The update will come as a major boost for PSG boss Luis Enrique, who now looks likely to have one of his key attacking players available for the crucial European tie.
Deschamps said: “No, he’s fine, there’s no problem.” Arne Slot, meanwhile, was handed an early scare when Hugo Ekitike was forced off just minutes into Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Brighton last weekend.
However, there appears to be no lasting concern, as the forward linked up with the France squad and made an immediate impact, scoring just after the hour mark to double their lead before Gleison Bremer pulled one back.
Elsewhere, Liverpool were without both Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah for that defeat. Neither player has joined up with their respective national teams – Brazil and Egypt – during the international break.
Alisson had only recently returned from injury and now faces a race against time to be fit for the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Salah, meanwhile, is expected to be available for those European ties, as well as the FA Cup clash with Manchester City.
However, with the Egyptian confirming he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, those fixtures could mark some of his final appearances for the club in both competitions.
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