Ibrahima Konate receives first call-up to France squad as Raphael Varane drops out with injury

Updated 04/06/2022 at 13:39 GMT

After he was initially omitted by Didier Deschamps in May, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has now been called up for France squad after Raphael Varane was forced to drop out due to a thigh injury suffered in the defeat to Denmark in the Nations League on Friday night. Konate will hope to be involved in the games against Croatia and Austria later this month.

Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool,Karim Benzema of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France on May 28, 2022 in Paris, France

Image credit: Getty Images

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has been called up for France for the first time after Manchester United’s Raphael Varane was forced to drop out of the squad with injury.

A thigh problem meant Varane was substituted in the second half during France’s 2-1 surprise defeat to Denmark in the Nations League on Friday night.

Konate played 29 games for Liverpool last season, helping the club to win the FA Cup and League Cup, narrowly missing out on the Premier League title. He also started the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

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The 23-year-old was a surprise omission from Didier Deschamps’ squad when the announcement was made in May.

At the time, Deschamps explained his reasoning behind selecting Arsenal's William Saliba ahead of the former RB Leipzig defender.

"Yes, I'm following [Konate]," said Deschamps. "He's in a team which is competing in the Champions League final and for the title in England.

"But since he's been at Liverpool, he's mostly played in a four-man defence and there is competition [in the France squad].

"I brought William 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 for the veterans to not get too comfortable."

That decision appeared to backfire as Saliba was at fault for Denmark's opening goal.

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

UEFA Nations League