Jurgen Klopp provides fitness update on Liverpool defender Joel Matip

Add as preferred source on Google

Jurgen Klopp has admitted that defender Joel Matip is not healing as well expected.

The German was speaking in a press conference on Tuesday where he explained there were no new injury concerns ahead of the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday.

Matip has been sidelined with a knee injury since October, and fans that were hoping for the Cameroonian’s imminent return are to be disappointed.

Klopp said (liverpoolfc.com): “Joel needs a bit more time, it’s healing but it’s not exactly how we wished for.

“It needs a bit more time, so that will take a while.

“The rest are fit. The long-term injuries not in, but all the others are fit and available.”

Matip was a colossus for the Reds last year after breaking into the side to cover Joe Gomez’s absence, but the Reds have just about managed without him over the past few weeks, with Dejan Lovren deputising.

That said, the team have not kept a single clean sheet whilst he’s been out.

TBR’s view

Even though results have been good for Liverpool, fans are frustrated to learn Matip is still not particularly close to a return to action.

Liverpool obviously have a very healthy lead at the top of the table, but the Matip-Virgil van Dijk partnership was so solid last season.

One would imagine fans will start to relax even more once he is back in the fray.