Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp confirms Joel Matip’s three-week injury setback
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed after Liverpool’s stalemate with Newcastle at St. James’ Park that they will be without Joel Matip for three more weeks.
The Premier League holders, Liverpool, will have to end the year off with a bittersweet celebration. Sweet that they can rejoice leading the log by three points but bitter because they had to share the spoils with Newcastle in their final game of 2020.
The game ended with no team able to break the deadlock and Newcastle the first side to stop Liverpool from scoring this season. The Reds were the only side to score in every Premier League fixture until their Newcastle hiccup.
Adding to the hiccup, the club will have to go again with only one senior centre back in Fabinho. The Reds’ manager stated they will be without Joel Matip for another three weeks.
He was missing from selection following an early exit against West Brom over the weekend in Matchday 15 of the Premier League. The central defender limped off in the 60th minute of the Baggies 1-1 draw and was replaced by youngster, Rhys Williams.
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Matip was said to have hurt his adductor when trying to turn sharply. He tried to shake off the injury but to no avail sadly.
"Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp confirms Joel Matip will be out for three weeks after defender limped off against West Brom with adductor injury… meaning he will miss key top-of-the-table clash against Manchester United. (Via: dailymail.co.uk)"
He will miss the biggest clash of them all when Liverpool welcome second-placed Manchester United to Anfield in January on the 17th when the year turns a new age. This is a crucial matchup that would decide first and second as things stand in the EPL table.
The Merseyside boss has only Williams and Nathaniel Phillips to choose from to lineup next to the outstanding Fabinho. Natt Phillips’ performance against Newcastle was questionable, with the defender caught out on a couple of occasions – beaten for pace or struggling to pick out a simple pass.
Jurgen has a headache coming in the next few weeks, as do the club who have to decide to do work or not when the January window opens. Should they sign a first-team centre back? Should they ride it out till the summer?
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The manager spoke of Virgil van Dijk and his return time, stating he still has a long way to go before getting back to action but has made tremendous progress with his rehabilitation. Reports suggest the club is unwilling to dive into the market with them aiming to spend big in the summer only.