Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool defender Joel Matip has been hit with a fresh injury setback.
The Reds’ boss has revealed that the Cameroon international enforcer, who was expected to have been available to return by now, is set to undergo another scan on the knee problem.
Klopp shared that there have been added problems which have prevented Matip from even returning to training at Liverpool and that he could be out for longer with no visible improvements.
“This week we have kind of a reassessment scan where you have a look at how it improved,” he said, as confirmed by the Mirror.
“And we will see that, then we’ll know more. He looks fine but is not able to play and not able to train at the moment.”
The 28-year-old has started seven fixtures in the Premier League this season, with his last outing coming in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United in October.
OPINION
When it was revealed that Matip first picked up the problem and was set for a spell on the sidelines, most Liverpool fans will have been fearing the worst given his recent rise in form for the Reds. The truth is though, is that they have not really felt his absence in the heart of the defence, with Dejan Lovren stepping up and forming a solid relationship with Virgil van Dijk, which has seen Klopp’s men keep their gap at the top of the Premier League. Yes, you always want your best players available and fully fit, but there is a satisfaction around having replacements that can come in and do the exact same job. Lovren arguably had his best game for Liverpool this season in the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday – winning eight aerial duels according to WhoScored, as he is surely making it harder for Matip to earn back his spot once he finally regains fitness.
