Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that centre back Joel Matip, who has been struggling with injury, will “hopefully” be in the squad to face Crystal Palace this weekend.
Goal’s Liverpool correspondent Neil Jones relayed Klopp’s words on his personal Twitter account, with the Reds boss speaking at his pre match press conference.
Klopp says Matip will "hopefully" be able to be in the squad at Palace.
Also lists Fabinho as someone who can, if needed, play centre back. #LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) August 17, 2018
Some Liverpool supporters are concerned that the club are understaffed at centre back, following Ragnar Klavan’s imminent sale to Cagliari, but the manager’s Matip update should ease their fears.
Klopp also praised Joe Gomez, who performed admirably alongside Virgil van Dijk against West Ham last Sunday: “I was never in doubt about his ability to play centre half, but he needed time after his injury,” he said.
“Playing full back will help him, but now he’s fit and a very good footballer. With Virgil van Dijk he had a very good understanding, which is really cool.”
OPINION
Liverpool supporters will be pleased to hear that Matip is returning to the first team fold after injury. The Cameroon international has had an inconsistent first couple of seasons at Anfield following his move from Schalke in 2016, but he remains a talented player. Whether he’ll be able to unseat Gomez and Dejan Lovren for a spot alongside van Dijk remains to be seen, but competition for places is always a good thing for a club of Liverpool’s size. The team will need every player in the squad if they are to compete across four fronts this season. Klopp’s praise for Gomez is well deserved. The 21-year-old looked extremely assured at the heart of the Reds’ defence against West Ham, and he’ll only get better the more football he gets at centre back. As alluded to by the German, there is an excellent partnership developing between Gomez and van Dijk, something that could stand the club in good stead for years to come.
