Virgil van Dijk reveals role in Ibrahima Konate injury with Liverpool hoping for good news

Virgil van Dijk thinks that of in the Premier League.

The French center-back was in clear discomfort as he left the field with his arm in a makeshift sling, and did not emerge for the second half, with .

It was not immediately clear exactly what had happened to cause the injury to Konate, but captain Van Dijk appeared to accept responsibility during a post-match interview. Van Dijk believes he may have trodden on his defensive partner's arm while the pair were in Brighton's box hoping to attack a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner on the stroke of half-time.

"There were so many bodies around the ball and I think I hit him on his arm," Van Dijk said. "Hopefully it is not too bad, we'll just have to wait and see. You can be quite ok as a player with an arm injury so hopefully he will be fine."

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was during his post-match press conference. "He was in a lot of pain at half-time," Slot said. "Disappointed he had to go off. He's not been to hospital yet. He may not even have to go; it's always too early to say just after the game."

Konate's replacement, Gomez, produced an outstanding second-half display in what was no doubt a high point of the season for the 27-year-old, who has been restricted to starts in the Carabao Cup and a handful of substitute appearances in the Premier League and the Champions League under Slot.

Liverpool considered selling Gomez during the summer transfer window, with Newcastle the club that came closest to signing the England international, but he could now be set for a run in the side, depending on the seriousness of Konate's injury.

Liverpool boss Slot was full of praise for Gomez's performance against Brighton, saying: "He was outstanding in the second half. He had a very good performance without the ball. He constantly stepped into midfield to win the ball, winning the duels, and when he had to defend he did very well. Very good second half."