Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has confirmed the death of his father with a heartbreaking post on Instagram.
Konate, 26, missed Liverpool's 3-0 win away in Marseille on Wednesday night having returned to France separately from the team for personal reasons.
Without divulging the nature of his separation from the squad, Arne Slot had said it was 'really sad', when asked about the omission.
And Konate has now confirmed that his father, Hamady, has passed away.
On Instagram, Konate shared the news and funeral details with his 3.2 million followers. It read: 'Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.
'Janazah (Funeral Prayer) For our father Hamady Konaté will take place on Friday, 23 January, after Jumu’ah prayer at In Sha Allah (12:45 pm).
It went on: 'The Messenger of Allah said: "There is no deceased person over whom a group of Muslims numbering one hundred prays, all of them interceding for him, except that their intercession is accepted."'
The address of the funeral was given and the message was signed off from 'The Konate family'.
When asked about the situation on Wednesday evening, Slot had said: 'No, first of all for the family matter, why he is not here, it is very sad for him. Second of all, we miss him because I mainly played him and [Virgil van Dijk].'
Joe Gomez came in for Konate for the impressive victory over Roberto de Zerbi's side in the Champions League.
And as it stands, no update has been given about when Konate might return to his club, though it seems highly unlikely he will play any part in the game against Bournemouth this weekend.
Konate's form has improved significantly in recent weeks after patchy displays earlier in the season and Liverpool are now unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions.
Victory over the Cherries would help consolidate their place in the top four and the game is the late afternoon kick-off on Saturday.
- WILL GRIFFEE
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