Ex-Arsenal star Ian Wright has backed Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate to start for France in the World Cup final this weekend.

The 23-year-old stood in for Dayot Upamecano for the 2-0 win over Morocco on Wednesday evening, putting in a commanding display, and Wright believes Konate has done enough to stay in the starting eleven:

“I think he will be very disappointed if he got left out (of the World Cup final). I thought Harry (Kane) really gave Upamecano a torrid time. We saw tonight Konate making some very good challenges. Some very good decision, so I can’t see them leaving him out. I would be very surprised if he is left out.”

Upamecano was sidelined with illness for the semi-final so it remains to be seen whether he will be reinstated by manager Didier Deschamps ahead of Sunday’s match. As Wright says, it would be extremely harsh on Konate, who has impressed in every game he has played out in Qatar.

However, France’s progress to the final means the centre-back may not be available for Liverpool until the start of next month. Jurgen Klopp’s side face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup next Wednesday. Joel Matip and Joe Gomez are expected to line up in the centre of defence for that match with Virgil van Dijk unlikely to return until the Boxing Day fixture versus Aston Villa.